California ranks 7th of 51 states and D.C. for cooks, restaurant pay, trailing top-paying Massachusetts ($46,280) by $1,990 — a 4% gap.
California employs roughly 11.0% of all cooks, restaurant in the country (160,270 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $36,430 | $17.52 |
| 25th percentile | $38,160 | $18.35 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $44,290 | $21.30 |
| 75th percentile | $46,960 | $22.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,690 | $26.29 |
| Mean (average) | $44,240 | $21.27 |
How California Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. California |
|---|---|---|
| California (current) | $44,290 | n/a |
| Massachusetts | $46,280 | +4% |
| District of Columbia | $45,230 | +2% |
| Washington | $44,980 | +2% |
| Maine | $44,870 | +1% |
| Hawaii | $44,710 | +1% |
| Vermont | $44,560 | +1% |
| New York | $39,890 | -10% |
| Colorado | $39,170 | -12% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in California
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Rehabilitation Counselors | $44,280 | 13,450 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $44,310 | 21,220 |
| Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers | $44,340 | 103,570 |
| Driver/Sales Workers | $44,370 | 35,220 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $44,120 | 108,950 |
| Couriers and Messengers | $44,600 | 8,970 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Cooks, Restaurant salary in California?
The mean cooks, restaurant salary in California is $44,240 per year. The median (middle) salary is $44,290 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in California?
Entry-level cooks, restaurants (10th percentile) in California typically earn around $36,430 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $38,160 per year.
What is the highest Cooks, Restaurant salary in California?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in California make approximately $54,690 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $46,960 per year.
How does the California Cooks, Restaurant salary compare to the national average?
The median cooks, restaurant salary in California is $44,290, which is +20% above national average of $36,830.