Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Santa Cruz, CA (2026)
Source: BLS OEWS · Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA · 780 employed
The average Cooks, Fast Food salary in Santa Cruz, CA is $39,000 per year. The middle 50% of Cooks, Fast Foods earn between $35,760 and $43,680. Top earners in the 90th percentile make $44,420 or more. Entry-level positions typically start around $35,160. The median of $37,670 is above the mean, reflecting the wage distribution in this field.
Cooks, Fast Food Salary Breakdown in Santa Cruz, CA
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (Entry-level) | $35,160 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,760 |
| Median (50th Percentile) | $37,670 |
| Mean (Average) | $39,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,680 |
| 90th Percentile (Top earners) | $44,420 |
Related Jobs in Santa Cruz, CA
| Occupation | Mean Annual |
|---|---|
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $67,030 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $51,390 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $47,960 |
| Cooks, All Other | $46,540 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $43,910 |
| Bartenders | $43,870 |
Cooks, Fast Food Salaries in Other Cities
| City | Mean Annual |
|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $42,750 |
| Seattle, WA | $42,730 |
| Portland, OR | $42,720 |
| San Jose, CA | $42,330 |
| Napa, CA | $41,430 |
| Vallejo, CA | $41,240 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $40,840 |
| Salinas, CA | $40,080 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Cooks, Fast Food salary in Santa Cruz, CA?
The average Cooks, Fast Food salary in Santa Cruz, CA is $39,000 per year, according to BLS OEWS.
What is the median Cooks, Fast Food salary in Santa Cruz, CA?
The median Cooks, Fast Food salary in Santa Cruz, CA is $37,670 per year. Half of Cooks, Fast Foods earn more than this and half earn less.
How much do entry-level Cooks, Fast Foods make in Santa Cruz, CA?
Entry-level Cooks, Fast Foods in Santa Cruz, CA typically earn around $35,160 per year (10th percentile). Workers in the 25th percentile earn about $35,760.
What do the highest-paid Cooks, Fast Foods earn in Santa Cruz, CA?
The highest-paid Cooks, Fast Foods in Santa Cruz, CA earn $44,420 or more per year (90th percentile). The 75th percentile wage is $43,680.
How many Cooks, Fast Foods work in Santa Cruz, CA?
There are approximately 780 Cooks, Fast Foods employed in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA area, per BLS OEWS.