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Food Preparation Workers Salary in California
Ranked #3 of 51 · CA
Salary Distribution (10th–90th percentile)
About 80% of food preparation workerss in California earn between $35,190 and $48,470. The blue band is the middle 50% (P25–P75); the dot marks the median.
Compared to the U.S.
The mean food preparation workers salary in California is $41,480, about 17.5% above the U.S. average ($35,290). That works out to roughly $20/hr at 2,080 hours per year.
Metro Areas in California
| Metro area | Median | Mean | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $45,580 | $45,660 | 5,930 |
| Napa, CA | $42,810 | $44,240 | 620 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $42,640 | $43,450 | 1,410 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $41,000 | $43,290 | 14,470 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $39,770 | $41,220 | 44,930 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $39,110 | $42,060 | 830 |
| Merced, CA | $38,980 | $40,150 | 460 |
| Vallejo, CA | $38,840 | $41,390 | 930 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do food preparation workers make in California?
The median food preparation workers salary in California is $39,350 per year (mean $41,480), and about 80% earn between $35,190 and $48,470.
How much do food preparation workers make per hour in California?
Roughly $20 per hour, based on a mean annual wage of $41,480 and 2,080 work hours per year.
Is California a high-paying state for food preparation workers?
California ranks #3 of 51 states for food preparation workers pay. Its mean salary of $41,480 is about 17.5% above the U.S. average of $35,290.
Which metro areas in California pay food preparation workers the most?
The highest-paying metro areas in California for food preparation workers are San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($45,580), Napa, CA ($42,810), Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA ($42,640), by median annual wage.