SOC 35-2015 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Short Order — North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California
North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, CA comes to $38,800 a year, ahead of the national median of $35,880 by 8.1%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, CA comes to $38,800 a year, ahead of the national median of $35,880 by 8.1%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $37,040 and $44,100. The lowest tenth earn under $36,000, while the highest tenth earn more than $45,520.
Employment stands at 180, or 1.7 jobs per thousand held locally. Santa Rosa leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $46,450. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 317th of 350 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,000 | +0.3% |
| 25th | $37,040 | +3.2% |
| Median (50th) | $38,800 | +8.1% |
| 75th | $44,100 | +22.9% |
| 90th | $45,520 | +26.9% |
| Mean | $40,450 | +12.7% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Rosa | $46,450 | 700 | |
| 2 | San Jose | $45,990 | 1,660 | |
| 3 | San Francisco | $45,790 | 4,430 | |
| 4 | Vallejo | $45,360 | 240 | |
| 5 | Napa | $43,930 | 150 | |
| 6 | Los Angeles | $43,680 | 12,410 | |
| 7 | Oxnard | $42,990 | — | |
| 8 | Yuba City | $42,400 | 80 | |
| 9 | Salinas | $40,550 | 260 | |
| 10 | Hanford | $39,300 | 60 |
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 $38,800 buys what $35,050 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 2.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$38,800as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$35,050US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $38,800 a year, 8.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,000 to $45,520 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 180 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Santa Rosa, at $46,450.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Short Order in North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, CA?
The median annual wage is $38,800, or $18.65 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 $35,880, so pay in North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, CA is 8.1% 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 $45,520 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,000 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 Santa Rosa, at $46,450 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 180 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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