Salary guide, May 2025
Food Process Operator pay in California
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The median annual wage for Food Processing Workers, All Other in California was $38,230 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $36,390 and $43,200.
The California median is $1,450 below the national median of $39,680, both from BLS May 2025.
Broader occupation · SOC 51-3099 Food Processing Workers, All Other
The Food Process Operator title maps to the published occupation. BLS does not separate this process, credential, shift or plant-specific title from other work in the occupation.
What should you know about california?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $35,290 | $36,390 | $38,230 | $43,200 | $48,450 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $16.97 | $17.49 | $18.38 | $20.77 | $23.30 |
BLS estimated 7,140 workers employed in this occupation in California. Location quotient: 0.94.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $32,210 | $36,410 | $39,680 | $44,130 | $47,950 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $15.49 | $17.51 | $19.08 | $21.22 | $23.05 |
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $35,640 | $38,300 | $44,660 |
| May 2025 | $36,390 | $38,230 | $43,200 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-3099 Food Processing Workers, All Other, California. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-3099 Food Processing Workers, All Other, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
What should you know about nearby areas?
| Area | Median | 25th to 75th |
|---|---|---|
| Fresno, CA | $36,020 | $34,700 to $42,620 |
| Merced, CA | $42,430 | $36,730 to $55,590 |
All roles in California · National page · Food Process Operator ranked across metros