How much does a food processing worker make in California?
$38,230a year
Median yearly pay for food processing workers in California. That is $18.38 an hour or $3,186 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.38
- Vs. national median
- -4%
- Rank among states
- 28 of 46
- Jobs in the state
- 7,140
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $35,290Median: $38,230Highest 10%: $48,450
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,290 | $16.97 | |
| 25th | $36,390 | $17.50 | |
| Median | $38,230 | $18.38 | |
| 75th | $43,200 | $20.77 | |
| 90th | $48,450 | $23.29 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Hanford, CA | $53,420 |
| San Jose, CA | $43,200 |
| Merced, CA | $42,430 |
| Visalia, CA | $42,250 |
| Riverside, CA | $40,530 |
| San Francisco, CA | $39,770 |
| Modesto, CA | $39,040 |
| Vallejo, CA | $38,530 |
| San Diego, CA | $38,490 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $37,280 |
| Salinas, CA | $37,250 |
| Stockton, CA | $36,420 |
| Oxnard, CA | $36,410 |
| Fresno, CA | $36,020 |
| Sacramento, CA | $35,710 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $35,290 |
| El Centro, CA | $35,240 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for food processing workers.
| 25. Michigan | $38,750 |
| 26. Oklahoma | $38,530 |
| 27. Maine | $38,270 |
| 28. California | $38,230 |
| 29. Oregon | $38,170 |
| 30. Mississippi | $38,150 |
| 31. Arkansas | $37,840 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food processing worker make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $18.38 ($38,230 a year).
Do food processing workers make more in California than the national average?
No: $38,230 against $39,680 nationally, 4% less.
Where does California rank for food processing worker pay?
California ranks 28 of 46 states.
Which city in California pays food processing workers the most?
Hanford-Corcoran, CA, with a median of $53,420 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.