SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Fresno
Fresno, CA · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Fresno, CA is $37,730 per year, close to the national median of $35,320 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Fresno, CA is $37,730 per year, close to the national median of $35,320 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $34,780 and $43,960. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $34,320 and the ninetieth at $48,880.
The area has 2,090 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 4.4 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, San Jose records the highest median at $45,580. Of the 527 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 479th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,320 | −2.8% |
| 25th | $34,780 | −1.5% |
| Median (50th) | $37,730 | +6.8% |
| 75th | $43,960 | +24.5% |
| 90th | $48,880 | +38.4% |
| Mean | $40,450 | +14.5% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose | $45,580 | 5,930 | |
| 2 | Napa | $42,810 | 620 | |
| 3 | Santa Rosa | $42,640 | 1,410 | |
| 4 | San Francisco | $41,000 | 14,470 | |
| 5 | Los Angeles | $39,770 | 44,930 | |
| 6 | Santa Cruz | $39,110 | 830 | |
| 7 | Merced | $38,980 | 460 | |
| 8 | Vallejo | $38,840 | 930 | |
| 9 | San Diego | $38,780 | 9,360 | |
| 10 | El Centro | $38,610 | 320 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Fresno run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $37,730 buys what $34,083 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 3.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$37,730as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$34,083US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $37,730 a year, 6.8% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,320 to $48,880 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,090 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Jose, at $45,580.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Fresno, CA?
The median annual wage is $37,730, or $18.14 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 $35,320, so pay in Fresno, CA is 6.8% 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 Fresno, CA earns more than $48,880 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,320 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 $45,580 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,090 jobs in this occupation in Fresno, 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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