Cooks, Fast Food Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $35,730 +18.5% vs national
Median hourly $17.18
10th percentile $34,680
90th percentile $44,450
Employed locally 12,450
National median $30,160

Compare Cooks, Fast Food salary & buying power

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Cooks, Fast Food
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $34,680
    25th
    $35,170
    50th (median)
    $35,730
    75th
    $37,710
    90th
    $44,450

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Cooks, Fast Food salary vs area income 35% Median Cooks, Fast Food salary is 65% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Fast Food

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $41,980
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $41,800
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $40,580
    Hawaii $40,300
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $39,260
    Napa, CA $39,210

    Nearby metros — Cooks, Fast Food salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $41,980
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $41,800
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $39,260
    Napa, CA $39,210
    Vallejo, CA $39,110
    Salinas, CA $37,960

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $35,860
    Waiters and Waitresses $35,060
    Cooks, Restaurant $45,040
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $44,990
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $35,270
    Bartenders $35,240

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Fast Food make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Fast Food in San Diego, CA is $17.18, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.71 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Cooks, Fast Food salaries?

    The median Cooks, Fast Food salary in San Diego, CA is 18.5% above the national median of $30,160. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Fast Food in San Diego?

    Entry-level Cooks, Fast Food (10th percentile) earn around $34,680 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,170.