Food Preparation Workers Salary in Santa Rosa, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA

Median annual salary $40,810 +19.3% vs national
Median hourly $19.62
10th percentile $35,300
90th percentile $49,530
Employed locally 1,340
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Santa Rosa, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,300
    25th
    $36,780
    50th (median)
    $40,810
    75th
    $45,740
    90th
    $49,530

    Santa Rosa economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,840 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 40% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 60% 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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $39,660
    Salinas, CA $38,670
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $38,200
    California $38,150

    Related occupations in Santa Rosa, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $38,090
    Waiters and Waitresses $36,310
    Cooks, Restaurant $45,020
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $48,560
    Dishwashers $37,980
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $36,080

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Santa Rosa, CA is $19.62, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $24.78 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Santa Rosa, CA is 19.3% 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 Rosa?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $35,300 per year in Santa Rosa, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $36,780.