California Median
$36,910
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.75
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+3% vs US median
US median $35,840
State Rank
#11 of 44
30,730 employed here
How much do Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other make in California?
Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in California take home a median of $36,910 annually — roughly $17.75 an hour — which runs 3% above the national median of $35,840.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $34,530 while the top 10% make $53,130 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,410 and $43,290 a year.
Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,530 | $16.60 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $35,410 | $17.02 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $36,910 | $17.75 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $43,290 | $20.81 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $53,130 | $25.54 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 11th out of 44 states and territories for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other salary in other states
Nebraska $46,170Hawaii $43,540Oregon $39,080Illinois $38,880District of Columbia $38,580New Hampshire $38,210Indiana $38,160Arizona $37,600Maryland $37,500Utah $37,180Tennessee $36,640Connecticut $36,320New Jersey $36,290New Mexico $36,250Virginia $35,870Colorado $35,710Massachusetts $35,300Michigan $35,100Washington $34,650New York $34,340Florida $34,200Delaware $33,840Iowa $33,480Pennsylvania $33,040Vermont $32,420Wyoming $31,840Arkansas $31,660Nevada $31,510Wisconsin $31,240Oklahoma $31,200Rhode Island $31,200Mississippi $30,600Texas $30,210North Carolina $30,160Montana $29,720Missouri $28,600Ohio $27,540Georgia $25,740North Dakota $23,410Alabama $22,990South Carolina $22,230Louisiana $21,820West Virginia $21,640
Working as Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in California
Nationally, about 85,000 people work as Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($36,910) 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 Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other make in California?
The median Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other salary in California is $36,910 per year, or about $17.75 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $34,530 at the entry level to $53,130 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other about 3% more than the national median of $35,840. California ranks 11th out of 44 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $36,910 a year. About 30,730 Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other 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 Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other 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.