As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Waste Management Engineer in California is $45,738 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $22.
However, a Waste Management Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Waste Management Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $48,538 | $4,045 | $933 | $23 |
| Average | $45,738 | $3,811 | $880 | $22 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,566 | $3,381 | $780 | $20 |
KPMG - Los Angeles, CA
KPMG - San Francisco, CA
TradeJobsWorkforce - Bakersfield, CA
TradeJobsWorkforce - San Ysidro, CA
A Waste Management Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Waste Management Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Waste Management Engineer | $45,235 |
| Intermediate Level Waste Management Engineer | $45,594 |
| Senior Level Waste Management Engineer | $46,097 |
| Specialist Level Waste Management Engineer | $46,886 |
| Expert Level Waste Management Engineer | $47,589 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Waste Management Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Waste Management Engineer roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Waste Management Engineer positions in Edu., Government & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Waste Management Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $50,312 | $24.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Waste Management Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $48,538 | $4,045 | $933 | $23 |
| Average | $45,738 | $3,811 | $880 | $22 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,566 | $3,381 | $780 | $20 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Waste Management Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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