Food Preparation Workers Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $37,010 +8.2% vs national
Median hourly $17.79
10th percentile $34,270
90th percentile $46,190
Employed locally 670
National median $34,220

Compare Food Preparation Workers salary & buying power

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

Full tool →
Food Preparation Workers
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $34,270
    25th
    $35,550
    50th (median)
    $37,010
    75th
    $41,550
    90th
    $46,190

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 34% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 66% 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 Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $37,300
    Waiters and Waitresses $35,270
    Cooks, Restaurant $42,460
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $46,980
    Cooks, Fast Food $37,670
    Bartenders $35,440

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Santa Cruz, CA is $17.79, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $24.30 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 8.2% 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $34,270 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,550.