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San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

In the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $41,100 ($19.76/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $36,700/year and the 90th was $50,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and California tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $34,577 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 115.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$41,100$19.76 per hour · $3,425 monthly
10th Percentile$36,700$17.64/hr base
25th Percentile$38,600$18.56/hr base
75th Percentile$46,500$22.36/hr base
90th Percentile$50,600$24.33/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-home payWhat $41,000 a year leaves after tax in CaliforniaFederal tax, FICA and California withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$20 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $41,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $41,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation California publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about California.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$41,100
$15,000$85,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$41,100
Net 84%
Fed 7%
CA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$34,577After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,881Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,330Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,752 / yr
California state income tax$627 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,144 / yr
Customize deductions in full California calculator

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Food Preparation Workers in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CA)
10th Percentile$17.64/hr$3,058$36,700$31,218
25th Percentile$18.56/hr$3,217$38,600$32,668
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$19.76/hr$3,425$41,100$34,577
75th Percentile$22.36/hr$3,875$46,500$38,700
90th Percentile$24.33/hr$4,217$50,600$41,762

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$41,100 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$136,027Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index115.615.6% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio30.2%of area median income

Compare food preparation workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in California:

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Food Preparation Workers pay in other California metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is $41,100, which equates to approximately $3,425 per month or $19.76 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is $19.76 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.64/hour and one in ten earned more than $24.33/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA span from $36,700 at the 10th percentile to $38,600 at the 25th, $46,500 at the 75th, and $50,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?

On a median gross salary of $41,100, an estimated $34,577 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,330 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,523 (an effective rate of 15.9%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?

On the median annual salary of $41,100, gross monthly income is $3,425. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,881 per month (or $1,330 every two weeks).

Is $41,100 a good salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?

At $41,100, the median salary for food preparation workers is 30.2% of the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA median household income ($136,027). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 115.6, making regional consumer goods and services 15.6% more expensive than the U.S. average.