Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn a median of $66,900 a year ($32.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,400 for the top 10%. That is 35% higher than the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 3% higher than the California statewide median of $64,890. There are 1.1 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $67,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,770 | $28.26 |
| 25th percentile | $61,810 | $29.72 |
| Median | $66,900 | $32.16 |
| 75th percentile | $75,400 | $36.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,400 | $36.25 |
| Average (mean) | $67,140 | $32.28 |
Half of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,575 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,787.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,573.08 |
| Weekly | $1,286.54 |
| Hourly | $32.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $66,900 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $87,430 | 870 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $77,570 | 2,040 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $73,110 | 320 |
| Napa, CA | $72,450 | 90 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $69,300 | 1,230 |
| Salinas, CA | $69,210 | 90 |
| Merced, CA | $68,530 | 70 |
| Fresno, CA | $65,950 | 390 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $65,950 | 910 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $64,440 | n/a |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $62,490 | 4,210 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $61,940 | 1,280 |
| Vallejo, CA | $61,930 | 110 |
| Chico, CA | $61,250 | 30 |
| Modesto, CA | $60,110 | 230 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $57,490 | 220 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $56,280 | 220 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $55,810 | 330 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $51,110 | 40 |
| Redding, CA | $46,290 | 30 |
| Visalia, CA | $46,090 | 170 |
Highest-paying states for refuse and recyclable material collectors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Illinois | $75,050 |
| Washington | $74,620 |
| New York | $64,950 |
| California | $64,890 |
| Oregon | $63,210 |
| Minnesota | $62,570 |
| Nevada | $61,310 |
| Delaware | $61,290 |
| Colorado | $60,310 |
| Wisconsin | $59,810 |
See Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $42,560 | $20.46 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,020 | $17.32 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $42,740 | $20.55 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,920 | $17.75 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $35,780 | $17.20 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $55,910 | $26.88 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,780 | $21.05 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $58,820 | $28.28 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $42,730 | $20.55 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $60,420 | $29.05 |
| Parking Attendant | $37,100 | $17.84 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $40,570 | $19.50 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $39,670 | $19.07 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-7081. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $66,900 a year, or $32.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn at least $75,400 a year. The top 25% earn $75,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,770 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $61,810 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
About 220 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.