How much does a cook make in California?
$42,930a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in California. That is $20.64 an hour or $3,578 a month.
- Hourly
- $20.64
- Vs. national median
- +20%
- Rank among states
- 5 of 49
- Jobs in the state
- 30,740
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $35,880Median: $42,930Highest 10%: $47,150
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,880 | $17.25 | |
| 25th | $38,250 | $18.39 | |
| Median | $42,930 | $20.64 | |
| 75th | $45,020 | $21.64 | |
| 90th | $47,150 | $22.67 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Santa Rosa, CA | $46,450 |
| San Jose, CA | $45,990 |
| San Francisco, CA | $45,790 |
| Vallejo, CA | $45,360 |
| Napa, CA | $43,930 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $43,680 |
| Oxnard, CA | $42,990 |
| Yuba City, CA | $42,400 |
| Salinas, CA | $40,550 |
| Hanford, CA | $39,300 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $39,140 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $38,490 |
| Sacramento, CA | $38,480 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $38,340 |
| Fresno, CA | $38,280 |
| Modesto, CA | $38,260 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $38,020 |
| Visalia, CA | $37,940 |
| Chico, CA | $37,700 |
| Stockton, CA | $37,490 |
| San Diego, CA | $37,300 |
| Redding, CA | $36,730 |
| Merced, CA | $36,240 |
| Riverside, CA | $35,610 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for cooks.
| 2. Rhode Island | $46,250 |
| 3. Massachusetts | $44,290 |
| 4. Hawaii | $43,110 |
| 5. California | $42,930 |
| 6. Washington | $42,760 |
| 7. Colorado | $42,450 |
| 8. Connecticut | $42,450 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $20.64 ($42,930 a year).
Do cooks make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $42,930 against $35,880 nationally, 20% more.
Where does California rank for cook pay?
California ranks 5 of 49 states.
Which city in California pays cooks the most?
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA, with a median of $46,450 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.