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Cooks, Restaurant Salary in California
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Cooks, Restaurant make in California?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$44,880
Median Annual Salary
▲
+1.3% vs 2024
$45,020
Mean Salary
$44,880
Median Salary
$21.58
Hourly Rate
152,250 people work as Cooks, Restaurant in California
Cooks, Restaurant salary by percentile in California
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Cooks, Restaurant in California earn a median salary of $44,880 per year ($3,740/month).
This is 19.1% above the national average of $37,684.
California ranks #7 out of 51 states for Cooks, Restaurant pay.
Approximately 152,250 people work in this occupation across California.
Salaries increased by 1.3% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Cooks, Restaurant
Prepare, season, and cook dishes such as soups, meats, vegetables, or desserts in restaurants. May order supplies, keep records and accounts, price items on menu, or plan menu.
Top Skills
Monitoring
3.12
Active Listening
3.0
Speaking
3.0
Critical Thinking
3.0
Coordination
3.0
Key Knowledge Areas
Food Production
4.1
Customer and Personal Service
3.89
English Language
3.56
Production and Processing
3.0
Administration and Management
2.92
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(44.0% of workers)
Salaries for Cooks, Restaurant in California range from $37,100 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $55,580 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $38,590 and $47,330.
Median $44,880
P10: $37,100P25: $38,590P75: $47,330P90: $55,580
10th
$37,100
25th
$38,590
Median
$44,880
75th
$47,330
90th
$55,580
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$37,100
$17.84
$3,091
25th Percentile
$38,590
$18.55
$3,215
Median (50th)
$44,880
$21.58
$3,740
75th Percentile
$47,330
$22.75
$3,944
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$55,580
$26.72
$4,631
Note: The mean (average) salary of $45,020 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
The median annual salary for Cooks, Restaurant in California is $44,880 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $45,020.
What is the salary range for a Cooks, Restaurant in California?
Salaries for Cooks, Restaurant in California range from $37,100 at the 10th percentile to $55,580 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $38,590 and $47,330.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in California?
Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant positions in California typically start around $37,100 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $38,590 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Cooks, Restaurant in California?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 152,250 people are employed as Cooks, Restaurant in California.
What is the hourly rate for a Cooks, Restaurant in California?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Cooks, Restaurant in California is approximately $21.58 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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