SOC 35-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California
North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, CA is $45,670 per year, 21.9% above the national median of $37,450.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, CA is $45,670 per year, 21.9% above the national median of $37,450. Half of workers earn between $40,360 and $49,440. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $37,240 and the ninetieth at $59,330.
Employment stands at 310, or 2.9 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, San Jose records the highest median at $51,880. Of the 350 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 281st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,240 | −0.6% |
| 25th | $40,360 | +7.8% |
| Median (50th) | $45,670 | +21.9% |
| 75th | $49,440 | +32.0% |
| 90th | $59,330 | +58.4% |
| Mean | $46,390 | +23.9% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose | $51,880 | 2,640 | |
| 2 | San Francisco | $49,140 | 4,280 | |
| 3 | Santa Maria | $48,210 | 430 | |
| 4 | Napa | $48,060 | 130 | |
| 5 | Hanford | $47,310 | 80 | |
| 6 | Santa Rosa | $47,260 | 420 | |
| 7 | Vallejo | $47,130 | 270 | |
| 8 | San Diego | $47,100 | 3,070 | |
| 9 | Santa Cruz | $46,850 | 250 | |
| 10 | Salinas | $46,820 | 350 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $45,670 buys what $41,256 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 10.2% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$45,670as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$41,256US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $45,670 a year, 21.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $37,240 to $59,330 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 310 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Jose, at $51,880.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, CA?
The median annual wage is $45,670, or $21.96 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $37,450, so pay in North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, CA is 21.9% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, CA earns more than $59,330 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $37,240 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in San Jose, at $51,880 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 310 jobs in this occupation in North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, CA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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