Food Processing Worker, All Other Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Food Processing Workers, All Other in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$38,230
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.38
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $39,680
State Rank
#28 of 46
7,140 employed here

How much does a Food Processing Worker, All Other make in California?

Food Processing Workers, All Other in California take home a median of $38,230 annually — roughly $18.38 an hour — which runs 4% below the national median of $39,680.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $35,290 while the top 10% make $48,450 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,390 and $43,200 a year.

Food Processing Worker, All Other salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$35,290$16.97
25th percentile (early career)$36,390$17.50
50th percentile (median)$38,230$18.38
75th percentile (experienced)$43,200$20.77
90th percentile (top earners)$48,450$23.29

How California compares

California ranks 28th out of 46 states and territories for Food Processing Worker, All Other pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Colorado$46,930
2Idaho$46,820
3Kansas$46,060
4New Hampshire$45,410
5Illinois$45,340

Working as a Food Processing Worker, All Other in California

Nationally, about 65,000 people work as Food Processing Workers, All Other in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($38,230) 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 Food Processing Worker, All Other make in California?
The median Food Processing Worker, All Other salary in California is $38,230 per year, or about $18.38 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,290 at the entry level to $48,450 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Food Processing Workers, All Other about 4% less than the national median of $39,680. California ranks 28th out of 46 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Food Processing Workers, All Other?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $38,230 a year. About 7,140 Food Processing Workers, All Other are employed in California. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
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 Processing Worker, All Other salary report

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.