Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links marked with (Ad). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Learn more
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in California
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make in California?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$44,740
Median Annual Salary
▬
+0.0% vs 2024
$45,060
Mean Salary
$44,740
Median Salary
$21.51
Hourly Rate
2,010 people work as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in California
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary by percentile in California
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in California earn a median salary of $44,740 per year ($3,728/month).
This is 8.5% above the national average of $41,230.
California ranks #13 out of 41 states for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders pay.
Approximately 2,010 people work in this occupation across California.
Salaries remained stable by 0.0% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
Operate or tend cooking equipment, such as steam cooking vats, deep fry cookers, pressure cookers, kettles, and boilers, to prepare food products.
Top Skills
Operations Monitoring
3.5
Reading Comprehension
3.12
Monitoring
3.12
Operation and Control
3.12
Active Listening
3.0
Key Knowledge Areas
Production and Processing
4.35
Food Production
3.8
Administration and Management
3.31
Education and Training
3.13
Mechanical
3.11
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(85.9% of workers)
Salary Range: Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in California
Salaries for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in California range from $35,770 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $53,340 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $37,790 and $48,080.
Median $44,740
P10: $35,770P25: $37,790P75: $48,080P90: $53,340
10th
$35,770
25th
$37,790
Median
$44,740
75th
$48,080
90th
$53,340
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$35,770
$17.20
$2,980
25th Percentile
$37,790
$18.17
$3,149
Median (50th)
$44,740
$21.51
$3,728
75th Percentile
$48,080
$23.12
$4,006
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$53,340
$25.64
$4,445
Note: The mean (average) salary of $45,060 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#13
California ranks #13 of 41 states
$41,230
National avg. for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
How much do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make in California?
The median annual salary for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in California is $44,740 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $45,060.
What is the salary range for a Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in California?
Salaries for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in California range from $35,770 at the 10th percentile to $53,340 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $37,790 and $48,080.
What is the starting salary for a Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in California?
Entry-level Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders positions in California typically start around $35,770 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $37,790 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in California?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 2,010 people are employed as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in California.
What is the hourly rate for a Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in California?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in California is approximately $21.51 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.
We use cookies to improve your experience, analyze site traffic, and serve relevant ads.
You can choose which categories to allow. For details, see our
Privacy Policy and
Cookie List.