How much does a cook make in California?
$46,390a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in California. That is $22.30 an hour or $3,866 a month.
- Hourly
- $22.30
- Vs. national median
- +24%
- Rank among states
- 6 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 31,660
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $37,570Median: $46,390Highest 10%: $59,630
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,570 | $18.06 | |
| 25th | $40,240 | $19.35 | |
| Median | $46,390 | $22.30 | |
| 75th | $52,060 | $25.03 | |
| 90th | $59,630 | $28.67 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $51,880 |
| San Francisco, CA | $49,140 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $48,210 |
| Napa, CA | $48,060 |
| Hanford, CA | $47,310 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $47,260 |
| Vallejo, CA | $47,130 |
| San Diego, CA | $47,100 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $46,850 |
| Salinas, CA | $46,820 |
| Modesto, CA | $45,480 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $45,400 |
| Sacramento, CA | $45,020 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $44,970 |
| Oxnard, CA | $44,570 |
| Riverside, CA | $44,470 |
| Merced, CA | $44,410 |
| Redding, CA | $44,250 |
| Stockton, CA | $43,950 |
| Yuba City, CA | $43,940 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $43,910 |
| Fresno, CA | $42,580 |
| Visalia, CA | $41,820 |
| Chico, CA | $41,380 |
| El Centro, CA | $40,980 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for cooks.
| 3. Massachusetts | $47,790 |
| 4. Hawaii | $47,770 |
| 5. Rhode Island | $46,570 |
| 6. California | $46,390 |
| 7. Vermont | $46,370 |
| 8. Connecticut | $46,120 |
| 9. New York | $45,880 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $22.30 ($46,390 a year).
Do cooks make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $46,390 against $37,450 nationally, 24% more.
Where does California rank for cook pay?
California ranks 6 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays cooks the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $51,880 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.