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Assistant Culinary Director Salary in California

How much does an Assistant Culinary Director make in California? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Assistant Culinary Director in California is $56,984 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

However, an Assistant Culinary Director's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $68,965
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $51,652 to $63,255
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $46,798
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Assistant Culinary Director Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Assistant Culinary Director Salaries

An Assistant Culinary Director's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Assistant Culinary Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Assistant Culinary Director's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $53,624
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $53,870
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $54,691
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $56,722
  • Expert (over 8 years): $57,855
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Assistant Culinary Director less than 1 year $53,624
Early Career Level Assistant Culinary Director 1-2 years $53,870
Mid-Level Level Assistant Culinary Director 2-4 years $54,691
Senior-Level Level Assistant Culinary Director 5-8 years $56,722
Expert Level Assistant Culinary Director over 8 years $57,855

How Do Assistant Culinary Director Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Assistant Culinary Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $57,201.
  • California: $56,984.
  • Massachusetts: $56,224.

Top Paying Cities for Assistant Culinary Director

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $57,082
  • West Hollywood: $57,041
  • Dodgertown: $57,081

Assistant Culinary Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Assistant Culinary Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Assistant Culinary Director positions in Telecom or Financial Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Assistant Culinary Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Assistant Culinary Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking $76,928 $37.0 35%
Energy & Utilities $74,079 $36.0 30%
Internet $71,230 $34.0 25%
Aerospace & Defense $68,380 $33.0 20%
Pharmaceuticals $68,380 $33.0 20%

Assistant Culinary Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Assistant Culinary Director's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$51,652
Average $56,984/year
$63,255
$4,304
Average $4,749/month
$5,271
$993
Average $1,096/week
$1,216
$25
Average $27/hour
$30
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $63,255 $5,271 $1,216 $30
Average $56,984 $4,749 $1,096 $27
25th Percentile $51,652 $4,304 $993 $25

Find Your Next Assistant Culinary Director Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Assistant Culinary Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Madonna Gardens | Salinas, CA

    Culinary Director

    Madonna Gardens | Salinas, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Ready to Join a winning team. At Madonna Gardens Assisted Living and Memory Care. we. value individuality and strong team... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Skilled Nursing of Solano County, | Dixon, CA

    Culinary Director

    Skilled Nursing of Solano County, | Dixon, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Culinary Director - Healthcare. Dixon, CA. We are committed to providing exceptional dining experiences that exceed our g... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Compass Group | San Francisco, CA

    Culinary Director

    Compass Group | San Francisco, CA

    Culinary Director. The Culinary Director is responsible for leading the culinary vision, standards, execution, and operational performance across a high-vo... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Epic Healthcare | Glendale, CA

    Culinary Director

    Epic Healthcare | Glendale, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Now Hiring: Dietary Director.  . Astoria Park Senior Living. is a pillar in assisted living in Pasadena, CA. We approach ... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Epic Healthcare | Pasadena, CA

    Culinary Director

    Epic Healthcare | Pasadena, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Now Hiring: Dietary Director.  . Astoria Park Senior Living. is a pillar in assisted living in Pasadena, CA. We approach ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Compass Group | Santa Clara, CA

    Culinary Director

    Compass Group | Santa Clara, CA

    Culinary Director. Our passion is food. At Bon Appetit Management Company we are committed to two things, great food and outstanding service. At Bon Appeti... more

    9 Days Ago

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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