How much does a cook make in Modesto?
$45,480a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Modesto, CA metro area. That is $21.87 an hour or $3,790 a month.
- Hourly
- $21.87
- Vs. national median
- +21%
- Rank among cities
- 42 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 330
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $37,390Median: $45,480Highest 10%: $57,700
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,390 | $17.98 | |
| 25th | $39,330 | $18.91 | |
| Median | $45,480 | $21.87 | |
| 75th | $50,010 | $24.04 | |
| 90th | $57,700 | $27.74 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Modesto
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $61,330 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $46,190 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $42,630 |
| Cook | $42,510 |
| Cook | $41,910 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $38,450 |
| Cook | $38,260 |
| Food Server | $38,010 |
| Dishwasher | $36,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $35,760 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Modesto?
The median hourly pay in the Modesto, CA metro area is $21.87 ($45,480 a year).
Do cooks make more in Modesto than the national average?
Yes: $45,480 against $37,450 nationally, 21% more.
How does Modesto compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $46,390, so Modesto pays 2% less.
Where does Modesto rank for cook pay?
42 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Modesto?
The lowest-paid 10% make $37,390 or less a year; the top 10% make $57,700 or more.
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.