Chef Salary in California (2026)
$31.01 per hour · take-home ≈ $51,905/year ($4,325/month) for a single filer
California ranks 15th of 51 states for Chef pay, with a median about 2% above the national average. Of the 31,670 Chef jobs BLS counts in California, the typical worker earns $64,500 a year — though pay ranges from $37,380 for newcomers to $101,870 at the top.
Chef pay range in California
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $37,380 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $46,320 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $64,500 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $81,040 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $101,870 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 31,670 Chef jobs in California (occupation code 35-1011, “Chefs and Head Cooks”).
Gross vs. take-home in California
A median Chef salary of $64,500 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus California state income tax, a single filer keeps about $51,905 — an effective tax rate of 19.5%.
| Gross (median) | $64,500 |
| Federal income tax | −$5,560 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$4,934 |
| California state income tax | −$2,101 |
| Take-home (annual) | $51,905 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $4,325 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free California paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Chef make in California?
- The median Chef salary in California is $64,500 per year ($31.01 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $46,320 and $81,040.
- What is the take-home pay for a Chef in California?
- On the median salary of $64,500, a single filer in California takes home about $51,905 per year ($4,325 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 19.5%.
- How many Chef jobs are there in California?
- BLS counts 31,670 Chef jobs in California in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Chefs
Other salaries in California
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified California state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for California.