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BLSSalary

Food Preparation Workers Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA (2025)

Official BLS OEWS data · May 2025 · 830 employed

Annual Mean
$42,060
$20.22/hr
Annual Median
$39,110
$18.80/hr
Bottom 10%
$35,170
$16.91/hr
Top 10%
$50,540
$24.30/hr
Location vs National Average
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
$42,060
Difference
+19.2% vs US avg
US National
$35,290

Salary Percentile Breakdown

PercentileAnnual
10th Percentile
Bottom 10%
$35,170
25th Percentile
Lower quarter
$36,810
50th PercentileMedian
Median
$39,110
75th Percentile
Upper quarter
$45,280
90th Percentile
Top 10%
$50,540

Salary Distribution

Annual Salary Range

10th

$35K

25th

$37K

Median

$39K

75th

$45K

90th

$51K

Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA has a relatively small Food Preparation Workers workforce (approximately 830 positions). Job opportunities may be more competitive.

In Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, Food Preparation Workers salaries range from $35,170 at the 10th percentile to $50,540 at the 90th percentile — a spread of $15,370 (39% of the median). This relatively narrow range suggests more consistent pay across employers in this area.

Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · Public domain · Not affiliated with BLS.