Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Merced, CA (2026)
Source: BLS OEWS · Merced, CA · 500 employed
The average Cooks, Restaurant salary in Merced, CA is $39,700 per year. The middle 50% of Cooks, Restaurants earn between $35,840 and $42,990. Top earners in the 90th percentile make $46,430 or more. Entry-level positions typically start around $34,360. The median of $37,740 is above the mean, reflecting the wage distribution in this field.
Cooks, Restaurant Salary Breakdown in Merced, CA
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (Entry-level) | $34,360 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,840 |
| Median (50th Percentile) | $37,740 |
| Mean (Average) | $39,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $42,990 |
| 90th Percentile (Top earners) | $46,430 |
Related Jobs in Merced, CA
| Occupation | Mean Annual |
|---|---|
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $72,940 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $47,870 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $43,810 |
| Bartenders | $41,080 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $39,840 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $38,680 |
Cooks, Restaurant Salaries in Other Cities
| City | Mean Annual |
|---|---|
| Kahului, HI | $53,460 |
| San Jose, CA | $50,190 |
| San Francisco, CA | $47,580 |
| Seattle, WA | $47,150 |
| Napa, CA | $47,070 |
| Portland, ME | $46,280 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $45,730 |
| Boston, MA | $45,720 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Cooks, Restaurant salary in Merced, CA?
The average Cooks, Restaurant salary in Merced, CA is $39,700 per year, according to BLS OEWS.
What is the median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Merced, CA?
The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Merced, CA is $37,740 per year. Half of Cooks, Restaurants earn more than this and half earn less.
How much do entry-level Cooks, Restaurants make in Merced, CA?
Entry-level Cooks, Restaurants in Merced, CA typically earn around $34,360 per year (10th percentile). Workers in the 25th percentile earn about $35,840.
What do the highest-paid Cooks, Restaurants earn in Merced, CA?
The highest-paid Cooks, Restaurants in Merced, CA earn $46,430 or more per year (90th percentile). The 75th percentile wage is $42,990.
How many Cooks, Restaurants work in Merced, CA?
There are approximately 500 Cooks, Restaurants employed in the Merced, CA area, per BLS OEWS.