How much does a cook make in California?
$44,880a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in California. That is $21.58 an hour or $3,740 a month.
- Hourly
- $21.58
- Vs. national median
- +20%
- Rank among states
- 7 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 152,250
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $37,100Median: $44,880Highest 10%: $55,580
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,100 | $17.84 | |
| 25th | $38,590 | $18.55 | |
| Median | $44,880 | $21.58 | |
| 75th | $47,330 | $22.75 | |
| 90th | $55,580 | $26.72 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Napa, CA | $47,320 |
| San Jose, CA | $47,170 |
| San Diego, CA | $46,440 |
| San Francisco, CA | $46,030 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $45,720 |
| Salinas, CA | $44,930 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $44,560 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $44,460 |
| Sacramento, CA | $44,230 |
| Vallejo, CA | $44,100 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $43,340 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $43,220 |
| Riverside, CA | $42,450 |
| Oxnard, CA | $42,060 |
| Modesto, CA | $41,910 |
| Stockton, CA | $41,170 |
| Yuba City, CA | $39,160 |
| Hanford, CA | $38,810 |
| Merced, CA | $38,480 |
| Fresno, CA | $38,260 |
| Redding, CA | $38,200 |
| Chico, CA | $37,980 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $37,800 |
| El Centro, CA | $37,710 |
| Visalia, CA | $37,090 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for cooks.
| 4. Hawaii | $45,420 |
| 5. Vermont | $45,390 |
| 6. Maine | $45,290 |
| 7. California | $44,880 |
| 8. New York | $43,680 |
| 9. Oregon | $43,100 |
| 10. Colorado | $41,600 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $21.58 ($44,880 a year).
Do cooks make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $44,880 against $37,390 nationally, 20% more.
Where does California rank for cook pay?
California ranks 7 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays cooks the most?
Napa, CA, with a median of $47,320 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.