How much does a food preparation and serving related worker make in Santa Maria?
Median yearly pay for food preparation and serving related workers in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area. That is $17.48 an hour or $3,030 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.48
- Vs. national median
- +1%
- Rank among cities
- 42 of 171
- Jobs in the area
- 290
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,320 | $16.50 | |
| 25th | $35,100 | $16.88 | |
| Median | $36,360 | $17.48 | |
| 75th | $41,460 | $19.93 | |
| 90th | $48,470 | $23.30 |
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 |
| Salinas, CA | $36,440 |
| 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 Santa Maria
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $65,060 |
| Cook | $48,210 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $47,320 |
| Cook | $43,340 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $42,940 |
| Cook | $42,700 |
| Food Server | $38,740 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $38,470 |
| Cook | $38,340 |
| Dishwasher | $37,290 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation and serving related worker make an hour in Santa Maria?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $17.48 ($36,360 a year).
Do food preparation and serving related workers make more in Santa Maria than the national average?
Yes: $36,360 against $35,840 nationally, 1% more.
How does Santa Maria compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $36,910, so Santa Maria pays 1% less.
Where does Santa Maria rank for food preparation and serving related worker pay?
42 of 171 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation and serving related worker make starting out in Santa Maria?
The lowest-paid 10% make $34,320 or less a year; the top 10% make $48,470 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.