salary$46,440 a year$22 an hour · median pay in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$37,840per year
Top pay (top 10%)$51,820per year
Jobs in the area15,670people work this job
Can a restaurant cook afford San Diego?
Expensive. Rent of $3,011 a month takes 77.8% 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 San Diego, CA?
The median pay for a restaurant cook in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA area is $46,440 a year ($22 an hour). Most earn between $37,840 and $51,820.
Can a restaurant cook afford to live in San Diego?
Typical rent of $3,011 a month takes 77.8% 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 Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area.