Food Preparation Worker Salary in San Diego, CA
Updated
The median food preparation worker in the San Diego area earns $38,780 a year ($18.64 an hour), 10% above the U.S. median ($35,320) and 1% below the California median ($39,350). Half of the 9,360 food preparation workers there earn between $37,190 and $43,780.
| Annual pay | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,820 | $35,190 | $25,810 |
| 25th percentile | $37,190 | $37,010 | $29,950 |
| Median | $38,780 | $39,350 | $35,320 |
| 75th percentile | $43,780 | $44,540 | $38,550 |
| 90th percentile | $47,410 | $48,470 | $45,340 |
| Average | $40,890 | $41,480 | $35,290 |
| Jobs | 9,360 | 112,750 | 893,600 |
San Diego, CA ranks 7th 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 San Diego, CA
- Restaurant Cook: $46,440
- Fast Food Worker: $42,190
- Waiter: $35,850
- Food Service Supervisor: $46,980
- Bartender: $36,260
- All jobs in San Diego, 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.