📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Cooks Restaurant Salary in California (2026)

California · 42.0% above national average · Very High Demand

Average
$58,618
per year
Median
$54,358
per year
Hourly
$28.18
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$41,081
25th Percentile — Junior$50,453
50th Percentile — Median$54,358
75th Percentile — Senior$71,540
90th Percentile — Top Earners$78,750
💡 Top-earning Cooks Restaurants in California make up to $78,750 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
$50.6k
2021
$52.1k
2022
$53.6k
2023
$55.3k
2024
$56.9k
2025
$58.6k
2026
📈 Cooks Restaurant 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 Restaurant Salary by City in California
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Los Angeles $90,858 +55.0% Very High
San Diego $86,755 +48.0% Very High
San Jose $100,823 +72.0% Very High
San Francisco $108,443 +85.0% Very High
Fresno $63,307 +8.0% Very High
Sacramento $71,514 +22.0% Very High
Long Beach $84,996 +45.0% Very High
Bakersfield $63,307 +8.0% Very High
Anaheim $83,238 +42.0% Very High
Santa Ana $82,065 +40.0% Very High
Riverside $75,031 +28.0% Very High
Stockton $69,169 +18.0% Very High
Irvine $90,858 +55.0% Very High
San Bernardino $69,169 +18.0% Very High
Modesto $65,652 +12.0% Very High
Fontana $71,514 +22.0% Very High
Moreno Valley $67,411 +15.0% Very High
Glendale $86,755 +48.0% Very High
Fremont $93,789 +60.0% Very High
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Cooks Restaurant Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation

California is home to a very strong job market for Cooks Restaurants. The state's key industries — Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $58,618 per year, California's Cooks Restaurant 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 $41,081–$50,453, while experienced Cooks Restaurants can command $71,540–$78,750.

Looking ahead, the Cooks Restaurant 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 Restaurant salary in California is $58,618 per year in 2026, which is 42.0% above the national average of $41,280.
  • San Francisco and San Jose typically pay Cooks Restaurants 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 Restaurant employment.
  • At $58,618/year, California Cooks Restaurant salaries are 42.0% higher than the national average of $41,280/year.