Food Preparation Workers Salary in California
BLS OEWS May 2025 • 28 metro areas • California
Food Preparation Workers in California earn a median salary of $37,413 per year on average across 28 metro and nonmetro areas, +9.3% vs the national median of $34,220. An estimated 98,520 food preparation workers are employed across California, with salaries ranging from $34,630 to $44,120 depending on location.
$37,413
Avg median salary in California
$44,120
Highest paying metro
$34,630
Lowest paying metro
98,520
Employed in California
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Food Preparation Workers
inFood Preparation Workers salaries by city in California
| Metro area | Median salary | 25th pct | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $44,120 | $38,660 | $45,740 | 6,240 |
| Napa, CA | $43,260 | $37,560 | $47,430 | 530 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $40,810 | $36,780 | $45,740 | 1,340 |
| San Francisco, CA | $39,660 | $36,810 | $45,200 | 12,470 |
| Salinas, CA | $38,670 | $36,760 | $45,510 | 950 |
| Sacramento, CA | $38,200 | $35,370 | $44,270 | 5,230 |
| San Diego, CA | $38,130 | $36,270 | $43,570 | 8,010 |
| Riverside, CA | $37,990 | $35,140 | $43,590 | 8,900 |
| Vallejo, CA | $37,790 | $35,870 | $44,830 | 760 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $37,580 | $35,890 | $43,680 | 39,020 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California | $37,290 | $35,100 | $39,820 | 490 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $37,180 | $35,080 | $43,520 | 1,390 |
| North Coast Region of California | $37,030 | $35,150 | $41,790 | 590 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $37,010 | $35,550 | $41,550 | 670 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $36,890 | $35,010 | $42,850 | 810 |
| Stockton, CA | $36,540 | $35,010 | $42,040 | 1,190 |
| Oxnard, CA | $36,490 | $34,850 | $42,750 | 1,800 |
| Modesto, CA | $36,320 | $34,600 | $43,240 | 1,080 |
| Hanford, CA | $36,300 | $34,740 | $42,660 | 230 |
| Fresno, CA | $36,220 | $34,300 | $41,340 | 1,980 |
| North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California | $36,120 | $34,700 | $39,700 | 550 |
| Yuba City, CA | $35,910 | $34,550 | $38,010 | 330 |
| El Centro, CA | $35,780 | $34,400 | $41,940 | 310 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $35,720 | $33,760 | $41,600 | 1,750 |
| Chico, CA | $35,680 | $34,310 | $39,230 | 410 |
| Merced, CA | $35,140 | $33,400 | $41,600 | 390 |
| Redding, CA | $35,090 | $33,700 | $38,620 | 320 |
| Visalia, CA | $34,630 | $33,280 | $38,470 | 780 |