Food Preparation Workers pay in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad
In San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad (CA), the median pay for food preparation workers is $18.64 an hour ($38,780 a year). About 9,360 people work in this job there.
That is 10% higher than the U.S. median ($35,320). It is about the same as the California median ($39,350).
Pay range for food preparation workers in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad (CA)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $17.22 | $35,820 |
| 25% of workers | $17.88 | $37,190 |
| Half of workers (median) | $18.64 | $38,780 |
| 75% of workers | $21.05 | $43,780 |
| 90% of workers | $22.79 | $47,410 |
Food Preparation Workers pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $45,580 | 5,930 |
| Napa | $42,810 | 620 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $42,640 | 1,410 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $41,000 | 14,470 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $39,770 | 44,930 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $39,110 | 830 |
| Merced | $38,980 | 460 |
| Vallejo | $38,840 | 930 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad (this page) | $38,780 | 9,360 |
| El Centro | $38,610 | 320 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $38,550 | 900 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $38,480 | 5,510 |
| Salinas | $38,480 | 1,180 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $38,470 | 1,490 |
| Modesto | $38,450 | 1,170 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $38,420 | 11,190 |
| Yuba City | $37,740 | 320 |
| Fresno | $37,730 | 2,090 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $37,680 | 1,910 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $37,550 | 1,470 |
| Chico | $37,510 | 480 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $37,430 | 260 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $37,090 | 1,950 |
| Visalia | $37,020 | 760 |
| Redding | $36,400 | 420 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for food preparation workers
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 3 to 6 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: -3% over ten years, declining · about 135,700 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad (CA)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $42,190 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $46,440 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $42,450 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $35,960 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $60,600 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $38,260 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $47,100 |
| Bakers | $43,080 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.