Food Preparation Worker Salary in San Jose, CA
Updated
The median food preparation worker in the San Jose area earns $45,580 a year ($21.91 an hour), 29% above the U.S. median ($35,320) and 16% above the California median ($39,350). Half of the 5,930 food preparation workers there earn between $39,960 and $47,890.
Median $45,580
10th: $37,34090th: $55,550
| Annual pay | San Jose area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,340 | $35,190 | $25,810 |
| 25th percentile | $39,960 | $37,010 | $29,950 |
| Median | $45,580 | $39,350 | $35,320 |
| 75th percentile | $47,890 | $44,540 | $38,550 |
| 90th percentile | $55,550 | $48,470 | $45,340 |
| Average | $45,660 | $41,480 | $35,290 |
| Jobs | 5,930 | 112,750 | 893,600 |
San Jose, CA ranks 1st of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for food preparation worker pay.
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Check my payFood preparation worker pay in other cities
- San Francisco, CA: $41,000
- Los Angeles, CA: $39,770
- San Diego, CA: $38,780
- 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 Jose, CA
- Restaurant Cook: $47,170
- Fast Food Worker: $44,570
- Waiter: $41,920
- Food Service Supervisor: $55,520
- Bartender: $42,270
- All jobs in San Jose, 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.