Food Preparation Workers Salary in Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $37,290 +9% vs national
Median hourly $17.93
10th percentile $33,990
90th percentile $45,950
Employed locally 490
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
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Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $33,990
    25th
    $35,100
    50th (median)
    $37,290
    75th
    $39,820
    90th
    $45,950

    Top-paying metros for Food Preparation Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    Napa, CA $43,260
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $42,830
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $41,980
    Boulder, CO $41,490
    Greeley, CO $41,340

    Related occupations in Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $36,460
    Waiters and Waitresses $34,600
    Cooks, Restaurant $43,070
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $47,400
    Bartenders $34,880
    Cooks, Fast Food $36,200

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California is $17.93, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.71 or more per hour.

    Is Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California is 9% above the national median of $34,220. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Preparation Workers in Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $33,990 per year in Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,100.