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Cooks, Restaurant Salary in California
Ranked #6 of 51 · CA
Salary Distribution (10th–90th percentile)
About 80% of cooks, restaurants in California earn between $37,100 and $55,580. The blue band is the middle 50% (P25–P75); the dot marks the median.
Compared to the U.S.
The mean cooks, restaurant salary in California is $45,020, about 16.2% above the U.S. average ($38,730). That works out to roughly $22/hr at 2,080 hours per year.
Metro Areas in California
| Metro area | Median | Mean | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Napa, CA | $47,320 | $47,830 | 1,270 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $47,170 | $49,390 | 8,900 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $46,440 | $45,770 | 15,670 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $46,030 | $48,630 | 20,540 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $45,720 | $46,470 | 2,340 |
| Salinas, CA | $44,930 | $45,310 | 1,910 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $44,560 | $44,090 | 1,020 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $44,460 | $44,750 | 54,320 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do cooks, restaurant make in California?
The median cooks, restaurant salary in California is $44,880 per year (mean $45,020), and about 80% earn between $37,100 and $55,580.
How much do cooks, restaurant make per hour in California?
Roughly $22 per hour, based on a mean annual wage of $45,020 and 2,080 work hours per year.
Is California a high-paying state for cooks, restaurant?
California ranks #6 of 51 states for cooks, restaurant pay. Its mean salary of $45,020 is about 16.2% above the U.S. average of $38,730.
Which metro areas in California pay cooks, restaurant the most?
The highest-paying metro areas in California for cooks, restaurant are Napa, CA ($47,320), San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($47,170), San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA ($46,440), by median annual wage.