How much does a cook make in California?
$42,050a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in California. That is $20.22 an hour or $3,504 a month.
- Hourly
- $20.22
- Vs. national median
- +36%
- Rank among states
- 3 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 124,440
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $35,750Median: $42,050Highest 10%: $48,750
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,750 | $17.19 | |
| 25th | $37,260 | $17.91 | |
| Median | $42,050 | $20.22 | |
| 75th | $43,300 | $20.82 | |
| 90th | $48,750 | $23.44 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $47,220 |
| San Francisco, CA | $46,670 |
| Napa, CA | $45,300 |
| Vallejo, CA | $44,450 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $43,840 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $43,630 |
| Salinas, CA | $43,120 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $42,700 |
| Oxnard, CA | $42,530 |
| Modesto, CA | $42,510 |
| Riverside, CA | $42,480 |
| San Diego, CA | $42,450 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $42,390 |
| Yuba City, CA | $42,320 |
| Sacramento, CA | $42,210 |
| Stockton, CA | $41,600 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $41,480 |
| Hanford, CA | $41,280 |
| Merced, CA | $40,430 |
| Chico, CA | $40,340 |
| El Centro, CA | $40,230 |
| Redding, CA | $39,920 |
| Visalia, CA | $39,750 |
| Fresno, CA | $39,620 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $38,000 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for cooks.
| 1. Hawaii | $48,120 |
| 2. District of Columbia | $44,670 |
| 3. California | $42,050 |
| 4. Washington | $39,120 |
| 5. New Hampshire | $38,590 |
| 6. Vermont | $38,230 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $20.22 ($42,050 a year).
Do cooks make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $42,050 against $30,890 nationally, 36% more.
Where does California rank for cook pay?
California ranks 3 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays cooks the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $47,220 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.