📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Cooks Fast Food Salary in California (2026)

California · 42.0% above national average · Very High Demand

Average
$47,258
per year
Median
$44,418
per year
Hourly
$22.72
per hour
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
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Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$35,827
25th Percentile — Junior$41,223
50th Percentile — Median$44,418
75th Percentile — Senior$53,364
90th Percentile — Top Earners$56,541
💡 Top-earning Cooks Fast Foods in California make up to $56,541 per year. The job market in California is rated very strong, with key industries including Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture.
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Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$40.8k
2021
$42.0k
2022
$43.2k
2023
$44.5k
2024
$45.9k
2025
$47.3k
2026
📈 Cooks Fast Food salaries in California have followed the national trend with 3.0% annual growth. The strong demand in California's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Cooks Fast Food Salary by City in California
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Los Angeles $73,250 +55.0% Very High
San Diego $69,942 +48.0% Very High
San Jose $81,284 +72.0% Very High
San Francisco $87,427 +85.0% Very High
Fresno $51,039 +8.0% Very High
Sacramento $57,655 +22.0% Very High
Long Beach $68,524 +45.0% Very High
Bakersfield $51,039 +8.0% Very High
Anaheim $67,106 +42.0% Very High
Santa Ana $66,161 +40.0% Very High
Riverside $60,490 +28.0% Very High
Stockton $55,764 +18.0% Very High
Irvine $73,250 +55.0% Very High
San Bernardino $55,764 +18.0% Very High
Modesto $52,929 +12.0% Very High
Fontana $57,655 +22.0% Very High
Moreno Valley $54,347 +15.0% Very High
Glendale $69,942 +48.0% Very High
Fremont $75,613 +60.0% Very High
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Cooks Fast Food Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation

California is home to a very strong job market for Cooks Fast Foods. The state's key industries — Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $47,258 per year, California's Cooks Fast Food salaries are 42.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in California (index: 1.42) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in California can expect to earn $35,827–$41,223, while experienced Cooks Fast Foods can command $53,364–$56,541.

Looking ahead, the Cooks Fast Food profession in California is projected to grow at 3.0% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Technology continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Cooks Fast Food salary in California is $47,258 per year in 2026, which is 42.0% above the national average of $33,280.
  • San Francisco and San Jose typically pay Cooks Fast Foods the highest wages in California due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • California has a very strong job market with major industries in Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Cooks Fast Food employment.
  • At $47,258/year, California Cooks Fast Food salaries are 42.0% higher than the national average of $33,280/year.