California Median
$36,010
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.31
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+6% vs US median
US median $33,980
State Rank
#10 of 51
75,460 employed here
How much do Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers make in California?
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers working in California earn a median salary of $36,010 per year, or about $17.31 per hour. That is 6% above the national median of $33,980 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $34,320 while the top 10% make $50,630 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,820 and $39,930 a year.
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,320 | $16.50 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $34,820 | $16.74 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $36,010 | $17.31 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $39,930 | $19.20 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,630 | $24.34 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 10th out of 51 states and territories for Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers salary in other states
Hawaii $51,200Washington $41,420District of Columbia $39,080Maine $38,560Maryland $37,020Oregon $36,800Colorado $36,790New York $36,740Arizona $36,500Massachusetts $35,380Connecticut $34,540New Jersey $34,170Vermont $34,120Florida $33,280Virginia $32,410Delaware $31,880Missouri $31,850Illinois $31,200Rhode Island $31,200North Dakota $31,010Nebraska $30,690Michigan $30,390South Dakota $29,920Tennessee $29,470Ohio $29,400New Mexico $29,360Pennsylvania $29,310Minnesota $29,210Georgia $28,920Indiana $28,320Iowa $28,210Idaho $27,810Arkansas $27,670North Carolina $27,560Montana $27,510Nevada $27,460West Virginia $27,150Wisconsin $27,080Alaska $27,040Utah $27,010Oklahoma $26,830South Carolina $26,830Louisiana $26,780Kentucky $26,330Kansas $26,300New Hampshire $26,290Wyoming $24,600Mississippi $23,180Alabama $22,470Texas $21,550
Working as Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers in California
Nationally, about 543,000 people work as Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($36,010) 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 do Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers make in California?
The median Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers salary in California is $36,010 per year, or about $17.31 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $34,320 at the entry level to $50,630 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers about 6% more than the national median of $33,980. California ranks 10th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $36,010 a year. About 75,460 Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers 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 Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers 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.