Cook salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A cook in California earns a median of $44,880 a year ($21.58/hour equivalent), 20.0% above the national median of $37,390. California ranks #7 of 51 states. About 152,250 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $36,880 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $1,418 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $1,726.15
- Federal income tax
- −$123.29
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$107.02
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$25.03
- California income tax
- −$29.92
- CA SDI
- −$22.44
- Take-home pay
- $1,418.45
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $44,880
- Federal
- $3,206
- FICA
- $3,433
- State + local
- $1,361
- Net
- $36,880
- 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 | Washington | $46,800 |
| #2 | District of Columbia | $46,130 |
| #3 | Massachusetts | $45,600 |
| #4 | Hawaii | $45,420 |
| #5 | Vermont | $45,390 |
| #7 | California | $44,880 |
| #49 | West Virginia | $29,590 |
| #50 | Mississippi | $29,560 |
| #51 | Louisiana | $29,050 |
See the national cook salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Cooks, Restaurant (SOC 35-2014), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make in California?
The median salary is $44,880 a year and the average is $45,020 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for cooks?
California ranks #7 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 20% above the national median of $37,390.
What is $44,880 after taxes in California?
About $36,880 a year ($1,418 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
Your business here? Sponsor this calculator from $19/week. See placements
Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.