Restaurant Cook Salary in San Jose, CA
Updated
The median restaurant cook in the San Jose area earns $47,170 a year ($22.68 an hour), 26% above the U.S. median ($37,390) and 5% above the California median ($44,880). Half of the 8,900 restaurant cooks there earn between $43,970 and $55,800.
Median $47,170
10th: $37,10090th: $63,940
| Annual pay | San Jose area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,100 | $37,100 | $28,700 |
| 25th percentile | $43,970 | $38,590 | $34,010 |
| Median | $47,170 | $44,880 | $37,390 |
| 75th percentile | $55,800 | $47,330 | $44,620 |
| 90th percentile | $63,940 | $55,580 | $47,900 |
| Average | $49,390 | $45,020 | $38,730 |
| Jobs | 8,900 | 152,250 | 1,409,890 |
San Jose, CA ranks 2nd of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for restaurant cook pay. Highest: Seattle, WA ($47,730).
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Check my payRestaurant cook pay in other cities
- San Diego, CA: $46,440
- San Francisco, CA: $46,030
- Los Angeles, CA: $44,460
- Seattle, WA: $47,730
- Boston, MA: $45,830
- Portland, OR: $45,200
- Denver, CO: $44,370
- New York, NY: $43,740
- All cities
Similar jobs in San Jose, CA
- Food Preparation Worker: $45,580
- 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.