Food Preparation Worker Salary in Riverside, CA
Updated
The median food preparation worker in the Riverside area earns $38,420 a year ($18.47 an hour), 9% above the U.S. median ($35,320) and 2% below the California median ($39,350). Half of the 11,190 food preparation workers there earn between $34,970 and $45,090.
| Annual pay | Riverside area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,320 | $35,190 | $25,810 |
| 25th percentile | $34,970 | $37,010 | $29,950 |
| Median | $38,420 | $39,350 | $35,320 |
| 75th percentile | $45,090 | $44,540 | $38,550 |
| 90th percentile | $48,040 | $48,470 | $45,340 |
| Average | $40,490 | $41,480 | $35,290 |
| Jobs | 11,190 | 112,750 | 893,600 |
Riverside, CA ranks 10th of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for food preparation worker pay. Highest: San Jose, CA ($45,580).
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Check my payFood preparation worker pay in other cities
- San Jose, CA: $45,580
- San Francisco, CA: $41,000
- Los Angeles, CA: $39,770
- Seattle, WA: $43,830
- Boston, MA: $39,660
- Denver, CO: $39,470
- Portland, OR: $38,730
- Washington, DC: $37,630
- All cities
Similar jobs in Riverside, CA
- Restaurant Cook: $42,450
- Fast Food Worker: $42,280
- Waiter: $34,800
- Food Service Supervisor: $44,990
- Bartender: $34,840
- All jobs in Riverside, CA
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, published May 15, 2026
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, www.bls.gov/oes. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.