Salaries › Garbage Collector › California
Garbage Collector Salary in California (2026)
$31.20 per hour · take-home ≈ $52,187/year ($4,349/month) for a single filer
California is among the top 5 highest-paying states for Garbage Collectors (4th of 51), with a median about 23% above the national average. Of the 13,930 Garbage Collector jobs BLS counts in California, the typical worker earns $64,890 a year — though pay ranges from $45,970 for newcomers to $90,370 at the top.
Garbage Collector pay range in California
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $45,970 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $55,420 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $64,890 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $75,070 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $90,370 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 13,930 Garbage Collector jobs in California (occupation code 53-7081, “Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors”).
Gross vs. take-home in California
A median Garbage Collector salary of $64,890 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus California state income tax, a single filer keeps about $52,187 — an effective tax rate of 19.6%.
| Gross (median) | $64,890 |
| Federal income tax | −$5,607 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$4,964 |
| California state income tax | −$2,132 |
| Take-home (annual) | $52,187 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $4,349 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free California paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Garbage Collector make in California?
- The median Garbage Collector salary in California is $64,890 per year ($31.20 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $55,420 and $75,070.
- What is the take-home pay for a Garbage Collector in California?
- On the median salary of $64,890, a single filer in California takes home about $52,187 per year ($4,349 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 19.6%.
- How many Garbage Collector jobs are there in California?
- BLS counts 13,930 Garbage Collector jobs in California in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Garbage Collectors
Other salaries in California
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified California state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for California.