Cook salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A cook in California earns a median of $42,050 a year ($20.22/hour equivalent), 36.1% above the national median of $30,890. California ranks #3 of 51 states. About 124,440 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $34,756 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $1,337 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $1,617.31
- Federal income tax
- −$110.23
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$100.27
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$23.45
- California income tax
- −$25.57
- CA SDI
- −$21.03
- Take-home pay
- $1,336.76
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $42,050
- Federal
- $2,866
- FICA
- $3,217
- State + local
- $1,211
- Net
- $34,756
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 4.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How California compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Hawaii | $48,120 |
| #2 | District of Columbia | $44,670 |
| #3 | California | $42,050 |
| #4 | Washington | $39,120 |
| #5 | New Hampshire | $38,590 |
| #49 | Kentucky | $23,500 |
| #50 | West Virginia | $23,120 |
| #51 | Mississippi | $22,670 |
See the national cook salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Cooks, Fast Food (SOC 35-2011), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make in California?
The median salary is $42,050 a year and the average is $41,490 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for cooks?
California ranks #3 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 36% above the national median of $30,890.
What is $42,050 after taxes in California?
About $34,756 a year ($1,337 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.