Salary distribution
Where San Diego cooks, restaurant fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $38,460 and $47,080, with a median of $45,040.
Typical entry
Education
No formal credential
Experience
None
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.1 / 5
Food Production
Knowledge
- 3.9 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 3.6 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 3.5 / 5
Near Vision
Ability
- 3.1 / 5
Manual Dexterity
Ability
- 3.1 / 5
Information Ordering
Ability
- 3.1 / 5
Monitoring
Cross-functional
- 3.1 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Inspect and clean food preparation areas, such as equipment, work surfaces, and serving areas, to ensure safe and sanitary food-handling practices.
- 02
Ensure freshness of food and ingredients by checking for quality, keeping track of old and new items, and rotating stock.
- 03
Ensure food is stored and cooked at correct temperature by regulating temperature of ovens, broilers, grills, and roasters.
- 04
Season and cook food according to recipes or personal judgment and experience.
- 05
Turn or stir foods to ensure even cooking.
- 06
Observe and test foods to determine if they have been cooked sufficiently, using methods such as tasting, smelling, or piercing them with utensils.
- 07
Portion, arrange, and garnish food, and serve food to waiters or patrons.
- 08
Weigh, measure, and mix ingredients according to recipes or personal judgment, using various kitchen utensils and equipment.
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Explore coursesOther metros in California
How the San Diego metro compares to other major California metro areas for cooks, restaurant.
- San Jose$46,960
- San Francisco$45,230
- Los Angeles$44,700
- Sacramento$43,600
- Riverside$38,600
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Cooks, Restaurant in San Diego, California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Cooks, Restaurant in the San Diego metropolitan area is $45,040.
- Does San Diego pay more than the California state average for Cooks, Restaurant?
- The San Diego metro median is +1.7% versus the California state median of $44,290.
- How does San Diego compare to the national median for Cooks, Restaurant?
- The San Diego metro median is +20.5% versus the BLS national figure of $37,372.
- What is the salary range for Cooks, Restaurant in San Diego?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $37,050 and the 90th-percentile at $49,330 for the San Diego metro area.
- What education is required for Cooks, Restaurant?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as No formal credential. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the San Diego CBSA boundary for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.