Cooks, Restaurant Salary in San Francisco, CA

In San Francisco, CA, the typical cook in a restaurant earns a median annual salary of $45,230, with an hourly wage of $21.75. This figure is notably higher than the national median for cooks, which stands at $36,830, reflecting the elevated cost of living and demand for skilled labor in the city. When compared to the area's median household income of $133,780, a cook’s earnings represent approximately 34% of this benchmark, illustrating that while above average on a national scale, their salary remains modest relative to local household incomes.

Entry-level cooks in San Francisco generally start closer to the lower end of the pay spectrum, with salaries around the 10th percentile at $39,400 annually. In contrast, experienced workers can earn significantly more, reaching up to the 90th percentile where annual earnings hit approximately $57,300. The difference between entry-level and experienced cooks is driven by factors such as tenure in the profession, skill level, specialization (e.g., pastry chef or sous chef), and the reputation of the restaurant itself. These variables contribute to a broad wage range, enabling seasoned chefs to command higher wages based on expertise and proven performance within the competitive culinary landscape of San Francisco.