Food Preparation Workers Salary in Sacramento, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA

Median annual salary $38,200 +11.6% vs national
Median hourly $18.37
10th percentile $34,030
90th percentile $46,840
Employed locally 5,230
National median $34,220

Compare Food Preparation Workers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Sacramento, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Food Preparation Workers
in
Sacramento, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $34,030
    25th
    $35,370
    50th (median)
    $38,200
    75th
    $44,270
    90th
    $46,840

    Sacramento economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $93,986 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 41% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 59% below the area median household income

    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

    Nearby metros — Food Preparation Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    Napa, CA $43,260
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $40,810
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $39,660
    Salinas, CA $38,670
    California $38,150

    Related occupations in Sacramento, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $37,650
    Waiters and Waitresses $35,070
    Cooks, Restaurant $43,600
    Cooks, Fast Food $36,380
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $46,590
    Bartenders $34,120

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Sacramento?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Sacramento, CA is $18.37, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $23.55 or more per hour.

    Is Sacramento above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Sacramento, CA is 11.6% 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 Sacramento?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $34,030 per year in Sacramento, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,370.