Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in California
Local pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in California, on the same wage scale as the U.S. Growth and openings are national.
SOC 35-2012
$46,390
median pay, California
31,660
employed in California
+23.9%
vs U.S. median
+2.0%
growth, 2024–34 (U.S.)
What cooks, institution and cafeteria earn in California
California · annual wage · OEWS May 2025
Half of cooks, institution and cafeteria in California earn between $40,240 and $52,060 a year; the U.S. median is $37,450.
$37,570
P10
$40,240
P25
$46,390
MEDIAN
$52,060
P75
$59,630
P90
Pay by metro in California
$51,880
$49,140
$48,210
$48,060
$47,310
$47,260
$47,130
$47,100
$20k $50k $80k