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Garbage Picker Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Guestservices

Night Porter- Big Sur

Big Sur, CA

$16.75 - $20.75/hr

Maintain cleanliness of public areas of hotel including dusting, emptying garbage, picking up litter, cleaning public restrooms, sweeping and mopping * Vacuum and/or sweep all floor surfaces on hotel ...

Guestservices

Relief Night Porter - Big Sur

Big Sur, CA

$17.50 - $23.25/hr

Maintain cleanliness of public areas of hotel including dusting, emptying garbage, picking up litter, cleaning public restrooms, sweeping and mopping * Vacuum and/or sweep all floor surfaces on hotel ...

United Pacific Waste

Refuse Driver

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Safely operate a heavy Garbage Truck * Properly track and document activity log * Report any issues or incidents to dispatch * Inspect truck before and after trip * Pick up trash containers, load ...

United Pacific Waste

Refuse Driver

Los Angeles, CA

Safely operate a heavy Garbage Truck * Properly track and document activity log * Report any issues or incidents to dispatch * Inspect truck before and after trip * Pick up trash containers, load ...

Radiate Hospitality, LLC

Houseperson/Utility

Belmont, CA

$17.50 - $21.50/hr

Responsible to pick up any garbage left in front of a room * Follow all safety rules as outlined by the hotel * Be continually alert for the safety of all employees and guests, reporting any unsafe ...

Radiate Hospitality, LLC

Houseperson/Utility

Belmont, CA · On-site

$23/hr

Responsible to pick up any garbage left in front of a room * Follow all safety rules as outlined by the hotel * Be continually alert for the safety of all employees and guests, reporting any unsafe ...

Parking Concepts, Inc.

Maintenance/Janitor

Riverside, CA · On-site

$20/hr

Walk to entire garage, sweep and pick up all garbage from floors. * Empty trash cans * Maintain equipment clean and clear of dust. * Remove graffiti when needed. * Special projects - Deep cleaning

Staff of Life

Janitor

Watsonville, CA

$15 - $19.25/hr

Remove garbage and recycling daily and prepare bins for weekly pick-up * Handle emergency cleaning and upkeep requests * Examples of Janitor skills * 2+ years janitorial experience * High school ...

JKL Corporation

Be Seen First

Day Porter

San Jose, CA · On-site

$18.55 - $22/hr

Pick up all organic (yes, this means poop) and inorganic trash throughout the entire property ... Sort garbage that is left outside the garbage dumpsters(small items go in the dumpsters, larger ...

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All JobsGarbage Picker JobsGarbage Picker Jobs in California

Garbage Picker information

See California salary details

$10

$16

$19

How much do garbage picker jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for garbage picker in California is $16.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.19 and $18.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a garbage picker do?

Garbage pickers, also known as waste pickers or sanitation workers, are individuals who collect, sort, and remove waste materials from public and private spaces. Their main responsibility is to keep communities clean by picking up trash, recyclables, and sometimes hazardous materials from streets, parks, and other areas. Garbage pickers often help in separating recyclable items from general waste, contributing to environmental sustainability. This job can be physically demanding and requires attention to safety and hygiene. In many places, garbage pickers play a crucial role in waste management and recycling processes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a garbage picker?

To thrive as a Garbage Picker, you need physical stamina, attention to detail, and a basic understanding of waste sorting and safety procedures, often requiring no formal education but sometimes a high school diploma. Familiarity with personal protective equipment (PPE), waste collection tools, and sometimes handheld data devices is typical in this role. Reliability, teamwork, and a strong work ethic are important soft skills that help individuals excel. These abilities ensure efficient, safe waste collection and contribute to public health and environmental cleanliness.

What are some common challenges faced by garbage pickers, and how can they be addressed on the job?

Garbage pickers often encounter challenges such as exposure to hazardous materials, unpredictable weather conditions, and physically demanding tasks. To address these, employers typically provide protective gear, safety training, and guidelines for handling dangerous items. Teamwork and clear communication also play a key role in ensuring safety and efficiency while on route. Staying vigilant and following established protocols helps garbage pickers minimize risks and maintain a safer work environment.

What is the difference between Garbage Picker vs Waste Collector?

AspectGarbage PickerWaste Collector
CredentialsNone typically requiredMay require a valid driver’s license
Work EnvironmentResidential or commercial areas, often manual laborOn-road, operating trucks, handling larger waste loads
Industry UsageCommonly used in local sanitation servicesUsed by municipal waste management companies

Garbage Picker and Waste Collector roles often overlap, but Waste Collectors usually operate larger vehicles and handle bigger waste loads, often requiring a driver’s license. Garbage Pickers typically perform manual collection in neighborhoods. Both roles are essential in waste management and share similar credentials and work environments, but Waste Collectors tend to have more responsibilities related to vehicle operation and larger-scale collection.

Is it hard to become a garbage picker?

Becoming a garbage picker generally requires minimal formal education and physical stamina, as the job involves collecting waste from designated areas. Some positions may require knowledge of safety procedures and the use of tools like grabbers or trucks, but overall, it is accessible with basic physical ability and adherence to safety guidelines.

What are popular job titles related to Garbage Picker jobs in California?

For Garbage Picker jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Garbage Picker jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Garbage Picker jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Garbage Picker jobs?

Cities in California with the most Garbage Picker job openings:

Garbage Picker jobs near you
Infographic showing various Garbage Picker job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 26% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $34,760 per year, or $16.7 per hour.

Night Porter- Big Sur

Guestservices

Big Sur, CA

$16.75 - $20.75/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 22 hours ago

Job description

Compensation Amount:

19.00 USD Hourly

Job Summary:

Provide overnight security and maintain cleanliness of all lobby and kitchen areas overnight including floors, prep areas, hoods, ovens, ranges, garbage cans, and walk-in coolers.Deep clean all areas to be ready for the next day's service.Provide friendly and efficient service to guests, including checking them in and out of rooms as needed.

Job Description:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Work overnight shift, approximately 9:00pm to 5:00am
  • Greet hotel guests and park visitors in a friendly manner, provide information and services including baggage service
  • Resolve guest concerns and complaints within scope of authority; refer to management as appropriate
  • Communicate effectively with front desk staff
  • Check guests into hotel when front desk is not staff during overnight hours
  • Replenish fireplace wood supply from storage; lay and maintain fire
  • Maintain cleanliness of public areas of hotel including dusting, emptying garbage, picking up litter, cleaning public restrooms, sweeping and mopping
  • Vacuum and/or sweep all floor surfaces on hotel ground floor; periodically deep clean
  • Clean and sanitize all ground floor rest rooms; replenish rest room supplies
  • Clean windows as needed/requested
  • Clean kitchen area thoroughly, including sweeping, mopping, and scrubbing; empty grease from fryers
  • Deep clean floors, floor mats, garbage cans, ranges, and insides of hoods and ranges
  • Record temperatures of all refrigeration equipment and report problems as needed to kitchen management
  • Lock all food storage doors; ensure proper storage of all food and food-related items
  • Provide security in the hotel for guests and employees
  • Performs such other related duties as directed or required

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly frequent movements from place to place within the unit. Bend, lift, carry, reach/extend arms and hands above shoulder height frequently, or otherwise move in a constantly changing environment.
  • Lifting, carrying, and pushing up to 30 lbs. regularly, 40 lbs. frequently, and up to 50 lbs. occasionally.
  • Ability to stand for the entire work day.
  • Works in wet and slippery conditions. Frequently works in a hot and damp environment.
  • Frequently immerses hands in water.
  • Climbing steps regularly.
  • Withstanding temperature extremes in freezer, refrigerator walk-in and grill areas. Ability to work in indoor and outdoor environments.
  • Reading and writing work-related documents in English.
  • Speech recognition and clarity, including the ability to understand the speech of customers and co-workers and the ability to speak clearly so that you can be understood by customers and co-workers in English.
  • Constantly communiication with other employees and management when a problem has occured.
  • Able to work alone and with little or no direct supervision, using a checklist
  • Physical presence at the job site is essential to perform job duties.

EQUIPMENT USED

  • Cleaning Supplies (including detergents, chemicals, mops, brooms, scourers, hand towels, etc.).
  • Required Personal Protective Equipment used: gloves and goggles

Founded in 1917, Guest Services has worked tirelessly to earn the reputation as the premier hospitality management company and National Park Service concessionaire in the United States. Guest Services takes great care and pride in providing best-in-class services across a wide variety of client sites including luxury communities, hotels, resorts, government and business dining facilities, full-service restaurants, state and national parks, outdoor recreation, boathouses, marinas, museums, conference centers, senior living communities, health care systems, school and university dining facilities, and specialty retail stores.

Guest Services, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and promotion without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION: We embrace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and the richness it brings to our company. Our commitment is to provide an inclusive workplace where individuals can bring their whole selves to work, enabling them to provide the best level of service to our diverse customer base.

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