How much does a food preparation worker make in California?
$39,350a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in California. That is $18.92 an hour or $3,279 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.92
- Vs. national median
- +11%
- Rank among states
- 3 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 112,750
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $35,190Median: $39,350Highest 10%: $48,470
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,190 | $16.92 | |
| 25th | $37,010 | $17.79 | |
| Median | $39,350 | $18.92 | |
| 75th | $44,540 | $21.41 | |
| 90th | $48,470 | $23.30 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $45,580 |
| Napa, CA | $42,810 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $42,640 |
| San Francisco, CA | $41,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $39,770 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $39,110 |
| Merced, CA | $38,980 |
| Vallejo, CA | $38,840 |
| San Diego, CA | $38,780 |
| El Centro, CA | $38,610 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $38,550 |
| Sacramento, CA | $38,480 |
| Salinas, CA | $38,480 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $38,470 |
| Modesto, CA | $38,450 |
| Riverside, CA | $38,420 |
| Yuba City, CA | $37,740 |
| Fresno, CA | $37,730 |
| Oxnard, CA | $37,680 |
| Stockton, CA | $37,550 |
| Chico, CA | $37,510 |
| Hanford, CA | $37,430 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $37,090 |
| Visalia, CA | $37,020 |
| Redding, CA | $36,400 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for food preparation workers.
| 1. Washington | $40,910 |
| 2. District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| 3. California | $39,350 |
| 4. Colorado | $38,960 |
| 5. Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| 6. Hawaii | $38,160 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $18.92 ($39,350 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $39,350 against $35,320 nationally, 11% more.
Where does California rank for food preparation worker pay?
California ranks 3 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays food preparation workers the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $45,580 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.