Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in California

BLS OEWS May 2025 • 27 metro areas • California

Chefs and Head Cooks in California earn a median salary of $64,826 per year on average across 27 metro and nonmetro areas, +6.3% vs the national median of $60,990. An estimated 26,360 chefs and head cooks are employed across California, with salaries ranging from $45,800 to $78,050 depending on location.

$64,826 Avg median salary in California
$78,050 Highest paying metro
$45,800 Lowest paying metro
26,360 Employed in California

Compare Chefs and Head Cooks salaries & buying power

Pick two cities to see how salary and purchasing power differ.

Full tool →
Chefs and Head Cooks
in
    vs

      Chefs and Head Cooks salaries by city in California

      Metro area Median salary 25th pct 75th pct Employed
      San Jose, CA $78,050 $58,540 $92,550 1,180
      Napa, CA $76,350 $61,550 $96,600 270
      Salinas, CA $73,260 $61,010 $85,030 340
      Santa Maria, CA $72,220 $61,890 $82,430 390
      San Francisco, CA $71,600 $57,000 $81,910 4,490
      Los Angeles, CA $66,860 $54,030 $80,910 10,250
      San Diego, CA $66,560 $55,130 $79,730 2,600
      Vallejo, CA $65,780 $49,080 $74,820 150
      Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California $65,450 $54,460 $78,020 150
      Santa Rosa, CA $65,000 $51,200 $78,000 450
      San Luis Obispo, CA $64,590 $48,970 $76,280 270
      Santa Cruz, CA $64,560 $52,250 $75,180 150
      Fresno, CA $64,330 $49,200 $71,110 510
      Oxnard, CA $63,970 $50,250 $75,700 400
      Sacramento, CA $63,930 $51,120 $78,970 1,240
      North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California $63,930 $49,120 $76,720 140
      North Coast Region of California $63,930 $49,750 $72,920 140
      Modesto, CA $63,760 $48,580 $72,740 200
      Bakersfield, CA $63,280 $44,930 $73,660 220
      Riverside, CA $62,710 $50,260 $73,380 2,240
      Stockton, CA $62,510 $48,480 $74,470 190
      Visalia, CA $62,170 $47,640 $72,110 90
      Merced, CA $61,470 $49,660 $99,080 60
      Chico, CA $60,620 $50,610 $69,150 90
      Yuba City, CA $60,250 $47,310 $69,890 40
      Redding, CA $57,360 $46,690 $69,360 50
      Hanford, CA $45,800 $38,720 $73,240 60

      ← View Chefs and Head Cooks salaries in all cities