How much does a food preparation and serving related worker make in California?
$36,910a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation and serving related workers in California. That is $17.75 an hour or $3,076 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.75
- Vs. national median
- +3%
- Rank among states
- 11 of 44
- Jobs in the state
- 30,730
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $34,530Median: $36,910Highest 10%: $53,130
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,530 | $16.60 | |
| 25th | $35,410 | $17.02 | |
| Median | $36,910 | $17.75 | |
| 75th | $43,290 | $20.81 | |
| 90th | $53,130 | $25.54 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $44,720 |
| San Francisco, CA | $41,970 |
| Napa, CA | $39,080 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $38,910 |
| Redding, CA | $38,770 |
| Fresno, CA | $37,760 |
| Vallejo, CA | $37,330 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $36,810 |
| Salinas, CA | $36,440 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $36,360 |
| Sacramento, CA | $36,350 |
| San Diego, CA | $36,330 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $36,120 |
| Modesto, CA | $35,760 |
| Stockton, CA | $35,690 |
| Oxnard, CA | $35,490 |
| Visalia, CA | $35,350 |
| Riverside, CA | $35,260 |
| Yuba City, CA | $35,150 |
| Chico, CA | $34,950 |
| Merced, CA | $34,720 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $34,560 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for food preparation and serving related workers.
| 8. Arizona | $37,600 |
| 9. Maryland | $37,500 |
| 10. Utah | $37,180 |
| 11. California | $36,910 |
| 12. Tennessee | $36,640 |
| 13. Connecticut | $36,320 |
| 14. New Jersey | $36,290 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation and serving related worker make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $17.75 ($36,910 a year).
Do food preparation and serving related workers make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $36,910 against $35,840 nationally, 3% more.
Where does California rank for food preparation and serving related worker pay?
California ranks 11 of 44 states.
Which city in California pays food preparation and serving related workers the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $44,720 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.