Paycheck Atlas

Food Preparation Workers salary in Salinas, CA

The median food preparation workers in Salinas, CA earns $38,480 a year, 9% above the US median. After tax that is roughly $2,534 a month.

10th percentile
$35,300
25th percentile
$36,500
Median percentile
$38,480
75th percentile
$44,450
90th percentile
$48,970

Based on 1,180 employed. Data period: BLS OEWS May 2025. Percentiles show the spread of pay, not experience; reading the 25th percentile as "entry level" is only an approximation.

What you keep

$30,405 take-home a year
Gross pay$38,480
Federal income tax−$2,438
Social Security + Medicare−$2,944
California income tax (approx.)−$2,694
Monthly take-home$2,534
Every two weeks$1,169

Does it go far here?

$35,289Median pay in Salinas, CA is worth this at average US prices (local price level 109.0 vs 100).
81%of take-home pay goes to the median rent ($2,055 a month, Census ACS).

Top-paying jobs in Salinas, CA

JobMedian pay
Medical and Health Services Managers$140,610
Registered Nurses$134,910
Computer Occupations, All Other$131,730
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$118,220
Teachers and Instructors, All Other$113,360
Correctional Officers and Jailers$109,620
General and Operations Managers$105,680
Sales Managers$103,810

All food preparation workers salaries · Take-home pay in California