How Much Does a Chef and Head Cook Make in California (CA) in 2026? (Hourly & After-Tax Salary)
Median Annual & Hourly Wage in California (CA)
$70,930/yr ($34.10/hr · $54,329 After-Tax)
Entry-Level (25th Pct)$55,330 ($26.60/hr)
Experienced (90th Pct)$95,760 ($46.04/hr)
Bi-Weekly Net Paycheck$2,089.59
Overtime Rate (1.5x)$51.15/hr
Gross vs. Net After-Tax Pay by Experience Level (2026)
| Level | Hourly | Gross Annual | Federal + FICA + State Tax | Net Take-Home | Bi-Weekly Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $26.60/hr | $55,330 | −$11,853.65 | $43,476.35 | $1,672.17 |
| Median (Mid-Career) | $34.10/hr | $70,930 | −$16,600.55 | $54,329.45 | $2,089.59 |
| Senior / Top 10% | $46.04/hr | $95,760 | −$25,452.44 | $70,307.56 | $2,704.14 |
Compare Wage Across All 50 U.S. States
Texas ($28.32/hr)California ($34.10/hr)Florida ($27.45/hr)New York ($33.52/hr)Illinois ($29.77/hr)Arizona ($28.03/hr)New Jersey ($32.37/hr)Georgia ($27.74/hr)North Carolina ($27.45/hr)Washington ($33.23/hr)Pennsylvania ($28.61/hr)Ohio ($27.17/hr)Nevada ($28.32/hr)Colorado ($30.63/hr)Virginia ($30.34/hr)Massachusetts ($33.81/hr)Michigan ($27.74/hr)Tennessee ($26.59/hr)Indiana ($26.88/hr)Maryland ($31.21/hr)Minnesota ($30.06/hr)Missouri ($26.59/hr)Wisconsin ($28.03/hr)Oregon ($30.34/hr)Connecticut ($32.08/hr)Utah ($28.03/hr)South Carolina ($26.30/hr)Alabama ($25.43/hr)Louisiana ($25.72/hr)Kentucky ($25.72/hr)Oklahoma ($25.72/hr)Kansas ($26.59/hr)Iowa ($26.88/hr)New Mexico ($26.59/hr)Arkansas ($25.14/hr)Mississippi ($24.56/hr)Nebraska ($27.17/hr)Idaho ($26.88/hr)Hawaii ($31.21/hr)New Hampshire ($29.77/hr)Maine ($27.45/hr)Rhode Island ($29.48/hr)Montana ($26.59/hr)Delaware ($29.19/hr)South Dakota ($26.30/hr)North Dakota ($27.45/hr)Alaska ($31.50/hr)Vermont ($28.32/hr)West Virginia ($24.85/hr)Wyoming ($27.45/hr)