Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$39,100$18.80 per hour · $3,258 monthlyRun the numbers on your own pay
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Take-Home Pay Explorer
Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, 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 | $16.78/hr | $2,908 | $34,900 | $29,843 |
| 25th Percentile | $17.64/hr | $3,058 | $36,700 | $31,218 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $18.80/hr | $3,258 | $39,100 | $33,050 |
| 75th Percentile | $21.25/hr | $3,683 | $44,200 | $36,944 |
| 90th Percentile | $23.13/hr | $4,008 | $48,100 | $39,903 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$39,100 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 Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $39,100, which equates to approximately $3,258 per month or $18.80 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $18.80 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.78/hour and one in ten earned more than $23.13/hour.
What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA span from $34,900 at the 10th percentile to $36,700 at the 25th, $44,200 at the 75th, and $48,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
On a median gross salary of $39,100, an estimated $33,050 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,271 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,050 (an effective rate of 15.5%).
How much do food preparation workers make per month in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
On the median annual salary of $39,100, gross monthly income is $3,258. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,754 per month (or $1,271 every two weeks).
Is $39,100 a good salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
At $39,100, the median salary for food preparation workers is 35.2% of the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA median household income ($111,093). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 109.9, making regional consumer goods and services 9.9% more expensive than the U.S. average.