SOC 51-3093 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders — Stockton
Stockton-Lodi, CA · 8 metro areas compared
In Stockton, CA the median wage for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders is $51,560 a year, which is 24.0% higher than the national figure of $41,590.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Stockton, CA the median wage for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders is $51,560 a year, which is 24.0% higher than the national figure of $41,590. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $44,270 and $53,340. The lowest tenth earn under $35,510, while the highest tenth earn more than $53,340.
The area has 70 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.12 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Modesto records the highest median at $59,010. Of the 441 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 280th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,510 | −14.6% |
| 25th | $44,270 | +6.4% |
| Median (50th) | $51,560 | +24.0% |
| 75th | $53,340 | +28.3% |
| 90th | $53,340 | +28.3% |
| Mean | $49,480 | +19.0% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Modesto | $59,010 | 140 | |
| 2 | San Francisco | $47,220 | 220 | |
| 3 | Visalia | $45,880 | 70 | |
| 4 | Riverside | $42,760 | 320 | |
| 5 | Los Angeles | $41,070 | — | |
| 6 | Vallejo | $38,640 | 50 | |
| 7 | Fresno | $38,430 | 160 | |
| 8 | Sacramento | $36,450 | 130 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Stockton run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $51,560 buys what $46,576 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 12.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$51,560as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$46,576US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $51,560 a year, 24.0% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,510 to $53,340 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 70 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Modesto, at $59,010.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Stockton, CA?
The median annual wage is $51,560, or $24.79 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 $41,590, so pay in Stockton, CA is 24.0% 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 Stockton, CA earns more than $53,340 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,510 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 Modesto, at $59,010 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 70 jobs in this occupation in Stockton, 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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