California Median
$42,930
per year
Hourly Rate
$20.64
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+20% vs US median
US median $35,880
State Rank
#5 of 49
30,740 employed here
How much does a Cook, Short Order make in California?
Cooks, Short Order in California take home a median of $42,930 annually — roughly $20.64 an hour — which runs 20% above the national median of $35,880.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $35,880 while the top 10% make $47,150 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,250 and $45,020 a year.
Cook, Short Order salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,880 | $17.25 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $38,250 | $18.39 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $42,930 | $20.64 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $45,020 | $21.64 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,150 | $22.67 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 5th out of 49 states and territories for Cook, Short Order pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Cook, Short Order salary in other states
Arizona $46,630Rhode Island $46,250Massachusetts $44,290Hawaii $43,110Washington $42,760Colorado $42,450Connecticut $42,450District of Columbia $42,450New Jersey $40,720Idaho $40,090Vermont $38,830Oregon $38,550Delaware $38,500Missouri $38,490Utah $38,010Alaska $37,780Nevada $37,780Illinois $37,440New Mexico $37,150Maryland $36,800New York $35,550Maine $35,360Oklahoma $35,130Michigan $34,510Florida $34,240Iowa $34,090Montana $33,240South Dakota $32,380New Hampshire $32,330Minnesota $32,150Kentucky $31,840North Carolina $31,290Virginia $31,200Nebraska $30,530Arkansas $30,510Tennessee $30,210South Carolina $29,640Ohio $29,290Mississippi $28,180Wisconsin $28,130West Virginia $27,440Kansas $27,400Georgia $26,870Louisiana $26,260Texas $25,320Alabama $22,330Indiana $21,940Pennsylvania $19,910
Working as a Cook, Short Order in California
Nationally, about 139,000 people work as Cooks, Short Order in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($42,930) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Cook, Short Order make in California?
The median Cook, Short Order salary in California is $42,930 per year, or about $20.64 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,880 at the entry level to $47,150 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Cooks, Short Order about 20% more than the national median of $35,880. California ranks 5th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Cooks, Short Order?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $42,930 a year. About 30,740 Cooks, Short Order are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Cook, Short Order salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.