salary$47,170 a year$23 an hour · median pay in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$37,100per year
Top pay (top 10%)$63,940per year
Jobs in the area8,900people work this job
Can a restaurant cook afford San Jose?
Expensive. Rent of $3,046 a month takes 77.5% 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 Jose, CA?
The median pay for a restaurant cook in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area is $47,170 a year ($23 an hour). Most earn between $37,100 and $63,940.
Can a restaurant cook afford to live in San Jose?
Typical rent of $3,046 a month takes 77.5% 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area.