Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$39,200$18.85 per hour · $3,267 monthlyRun the numbers on your own pay
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Take-Home Pay Explorer
Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, 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 | $16.88/hr | $2,925 | $35,100 | $29,996 |
| 25th Percentile | $17.74/hr | $3,075 | $36,900 | $31,370 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $18.85/hr | $3,267 | $39,200 | $33,127 |
| 75th Percentile | $21.35/hr | $3,700 | $44,400 | $37,097 |
| 90th Percentile | $23.22/hr | $4,025 | $48,300 | $40,052 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$39,200 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
What is the median salary for food preparation workers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $39,200, which equates to approximately $3,267 per month or $18.85 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $18.85 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.88/hour and one in ten earned more than $23.22/hour.
What is the pay range for food preparation workers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA span from $35,100 at the 10th percentile to $36,900 at the 25th, $44,400 at the 75th, and $48,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
On a median gross salary of $39,200, an estimated $33,127 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,274 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,073 (an effective rate of 15.5%).
How much do food preparation workers make per month in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
On the median annual salary of $39,200, gross monthly income is $3,267. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,761 per month (or $1,274 every two weeks).
Is $39,200 a good salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
At $39,200, the median salary for food preparation workers is 24.2% of the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA median household income ($162,111). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 110.4, making regional consumer goods and services 10.4% more expensive than the U.S. average.