Food Preparation Workers Salary in Salinas, CA
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Salinas, CA
Median annual salary
$38,670
+13% vs national
Median hourly
$18.59
10th percentile
$35,220
90th percentile
$48,600
Employed locally
950
National median
$34,220
Compare Food Preparation Workers salary & buying power
Type a city below to see how Salinas, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.
Food Preparation Workers
in
Salinas, CA
vs
Salary percentile breakdown
Salinas economic context
Unemployment rate
7.30%
2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
Median household income
$94,486
2023 • Census ACS
Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income
41%
Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 59% below the area median household income
Frequently asked questions
How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Salinas?
The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Salinas, CA is $18.59, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $23.54 or more per hour.
Is Salinas above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?
The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Salinas, CA is 13% 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 Salinas?
Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $35,220 per year in Salinas, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $36,760.