Food Preparation Workers Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $38,130 +11.4% vs national
Median hourly $18.33
10th percentile $34,690
90th percentile $47,050
Employed locally 8,010
National median $34,220

Compare Food Preparation Workers salary & buying power

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

Full tool →
Food Preparation Workers
in
San Diego, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $34,690
    25th
    $36,270
    50th (median)
    $38,130
    75th
    $43,570
    90th
    $47,050

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 37% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 63% 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
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $38,200

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $35,860
    Waiters and Waitresses $35,060
    Cooks, Restaurant $45,040
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $44,990
    Cooks, Fast Food $35,730
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $35,270

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in San Diego, CA is $18.33, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.79 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in San Diego, CA is 11.4% 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 San Diego?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $34,690 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $36,270.