How much does a cook make in California?
$42,860a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in California. That is $20.61 an hour or $3,572 a month.
- Hourly
- $20.61
- Vs. national median
- +14%
- Rank among states
- 11 of 33
- Jobs in the state
- 3,990
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $37,040Median: $42,860Highest 10%: $50,940
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,040 | $17.81 | |
| 25th | $38,350 | $18.44 | |
| Median | $42,860 | $20.61 | |
| 75th | $46,030 | $22.13 | |
| 90th | $50,940 | $24.49 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Santa Rosa, CA | $47,840 |
| San Jose, CA | $44,740 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $43,680 |
| San Francisco, CA | $42,860 |
| Salinas, CA | $39,640 |
| Sacramento, CA | $38,980 |
| San Diego, CA | $38,870 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $38,850 |
| Riverside, CA | $37,040 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for cooks.
| 8. Colorado | $43,490 |
| 9. New York | $43,000 |
| 10. Georgia | $42,960 |
| 11. California | $42,860 |
| 12. Montana | $42,640 |
| 13. Oregon | $42,020 |
| 14. Arizona | $41,740 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $20.61 ($42,860 a year).
Do cooks make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $42,860 against $37,690 nationally, 14% more.
Where does California rank for cook pay?
California ranks 11 of 33 states.
Which city in California pays cooks the most?
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA, with a median of $47,840 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.