How much does a food preparation and serving related worker make in Salinas?
$36,440a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation and serving related workers in the Salinas, CA metro area. That is $17.52 an hour or $3,037 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.52
- Vs. national median
- +2%
- Rank among cities
- 40 of 171
- Jobs in the area
- 330
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $34,480Median: $36,440Highest 10%: $56,850
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,480 | $16.58 | |
| 25th | $35,590 | $17.11 | |
| Median | $36,440 | $17.52 | |
| 75th | $44,520 | $21.40 | |
| 90th | $56,850 | $27.33 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for food preparation and serving related workers.
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Chico, CA | $34,950 |
| Merced, CA | $34,720 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $34,560 |
Related jobs in Salinas
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $72,440 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $48,220 |
| Cook | $46,820 |
| Cook | $44,930 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $43,260 |
| Cook | $43,120 |
| Cook | $40,550 |
| Cook | $39,640 |
| Food Server | $38,660 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $38,480 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation and serving related worker make an hour in Salinas?
The median hourly pay in the Salinas, CA metro area is $17.52 ($36,440 a year).
Do food preparation and serving related workers make more in Salinas than the national average?
Yes: $36,440 against $35,840 nationally, 2% more.
How does Salinas compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $36,910, so Salinas pays 1% less.
Where does Salinas rank for food preparation and serving related worker pay?
40 of 171 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation and serving related worker make starting out in Salinas?
The lowest-paid 10% make $34,480 or less a year; the top 10% make $56,850 or more.
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.