Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$39,800$19.13 per hour · $3,317 monthlyRun the numbers on your own pay
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Take-Home Pay Explorer
Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.
| Earning Tier | Hourly Wage | Monthly Gross | Annual Gross | Est. Annual Net (CA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $17.12/hr | $2,967 | $35,600 | $30,378 |
| 25th Percentile | $17.98/hr | $3,117 | $37,400 | $31,752 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $19.13/hr | $3,317 | $39,800 | $33,585 |
| 75th Percentile | $21.63/hr | $3,750 | $45,000 | $37,555 |
| 90th Percentile | $23.56/hr | $4,083 | $49,000 | $40,572 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$39,800 measures up against local economic conditions:
Explore Related Salary & Regional Profiles
Compare food preparation workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in California:
Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
What is the median salary for food preparation workers in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA is $39,800, which equates to approximately $3,317 per month or $19.13 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA is $19.13 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.12/hour and one in ten earned more than $23.56/hour.
What is the pay range for food preparation workers in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA span from $35,600 at the 10th percentile to $37,400 at the 25th, $45,000 at the 75th, and $49,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
On a median gross salary of $39,800, an estimated $33,585 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,292 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,215 (an effective rate of 15.6%).
How much do food preparation workers make per month in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
On the median annual salary of $39,800, gross monthly income is $3,317. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,799 per month (or $1,292 every two weeks).
Is $39,800 a good salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
At $39,800, the median salary for food preparation workers is 37.5% of the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA median household income ($106,268). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 111.9, making regional consumer goods and services 11.9% more expensive than the U.S. average.