salary$46,030 a year$22 an hour · median pay in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$40,720per year
Top pay (top 10%)$58,940per year
Jobs in the area20,540people work this job
Can a restaurant cook afford Berkeley?
Expensive. Rent of $2,355 a month takes 61.4% of the median restaurant cook salary. That is over the 30% rule, so many people in this job share housing or need a second income.
Restaurant Cook pay in similar cities
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a restaurant cook make in Berkeley, CA?
The median pay for a restaurant cook in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area is $46,030 a year ($22 an hour). Most earn between $40,720 and $58,940.
Can a restaurant cook afford to live in Berkeley?
Typical rent of $2,355 a month takes 61.4% of the median restaurant cook salary, which we rate Expensive.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area.