Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links marked with (Ad). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Employment & Job Outlook in California (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

California employs 13,930 Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors professionals, above the national average concentration.

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • California employment outlook • Updated 2026-05-19

Total Employed
13,930
professionals
Jobs per 1,000
13.93
workers
Location Quotient
4.83
vs national avg
Average Salary
$66K
annual

High Demand in California

The location quotient (LQ) of 4.83 indicates that California has a higher-than-average concentration of Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors professionals. This means the job is in high demand relative to other states, suggesting strong local job market opportunities.

Note: Location Quotient (LQ) is the ratio of the percentage of workers in an occupation in a given area to the percentage in that occupation nationwide. An LQ > 1.0 means above-average concentration; < 1.0 means below-average.

California vs National Average

Total Employed
13,930
National: 147,220
9.5% of national
Jobs per 1,000
13.93
National: 2.89
+382.0%
Average Salary
$66K
National: $50K
+30.9%

Top States by Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Employment

#1
13,930
13,930
employed
#2
12,860
12,860
employed
#3
11,650
11,650
employed
#4
11,630
11,630
employed
#5
7,250
7,250
employed
#6
6,220
6,220
employed
#7
4,910
4,910
employed
#8
4,830
4,830
employed
#9
4,710
4,710
employed
#10
4,330
4,330
employed

What Does a Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Earn in California?

The average annual salary for a Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in California is $66,300. For a detailed breakdown by percentile, entry-level, median, and senior salaries, see the comprehensive salary guide below.

View full salary breakdown →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors jobs are there in California?

California employs approximately 13,930 Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors professionals (2025 BLS data). This ranks California among the top states nationwide.

Is Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in demand in California?

Yes — California has above-average concentration of Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors jobs (LQ: 4.83). A Location Quotient above 1.0 indicates higher-than-average demand.

What is the average salary for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in California?

The average (mean) salary for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in California is $66300/year. See our detailed salary page for percentile breakdowns.

What is a Location Quotient (LQ)?

Location Quotient measures how concentrated an occupation is in a state compared to the national average. LQ > 1.0 means the state has more of that job proportionally. LQ > 1.2 indicates strong demand.

Which states employ the most Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors professionals?

The top state for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors employment is California with 13,930 jobs.

Find Your Next Opportunity

Related Pages

Top Cities in California

Explore cost of living, median household income, and demographics for California's largest cities.

Top Colleges in California

Compare tuition, admissions, and graduate outcomes at California's leading institutions.

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Employment in Other States

Compare Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors labor-market data (jobs, location quotient, salary) across the top-employing states.

All Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors & California Resources

Drill deeper into Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors pay, hiring, and education data for California.

Data Source

Employment and location quotient data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025. This data reflects total employment, jobs per 1,000 workers, location quotient, and average salary for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors (SOC 537081) in California.

Get Monthly Salary Insights & Career Data

Free data-driven career updates — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Join career-minded Americans who use data to make smarter decisions. Privacy Policy