How Much Does a Food Inspector Make in California?

Updated April 01, 2025
As of April 01, 2025, the average annual pay of Food Inspector in California is $129,295. While Salary.com is seeing that Food Inspector salary in CA can go up to $163,377 or down to $85,541, but most earn between $106,393 and $147,135. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and your experience levels. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
25% $106,393 10% $85,541 90% $163,377 75% $147,135 $129,295 50%(Median)
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Top 10 Highest Paying Cities For Food Inspector Jobs in California

It is important to understand how location impacts your career prospects in the United States. There are some cities where a Food Inspector can find a job easily with a greater salary paid then achieve a higher standard of living. Below is the top cities list for Food Inspector job salaries in California. Some cities can pay higher salaries for Food Inspector jobs, which can indicate that there is a large demand for Food Inspector positions in this city.
The following table shows top 10 cities where the Food Inspector salary is higher than other cities in California. San Jose takes first place in this list, followed by Santa Clara, Fremont. The Food Inspector salary is $147,851 in San Jose, which is higher than the national average. There are 76 cities' Food Inspector salary higher than national average in California.
The average salary for a Food Inspector in California is $129,295, but we found that the city with the highest salary for Food Inspector jobs is San Jose, CA, and it is higher than Santa Clara. Food Inspector jobs in San Jose can have the opportunity to earn higher salaries than in other cities in California.
CITY ANNUAL SALARY MONTHLY PAY WEEKLY PAY HOURLY WAGE
San Jose $147,851 $12,321 $2,843 $71
Santa Clara $147,851 $12,321 $2,843 $71
Fremont $147,570 $12,297 $2,838 $71
San Francisco $146,397 $12,200 $2,815 $70
Daly City $146,397 $12,200 $2,815 $70
Berkeley $143,150 $11,929 $2,753 $69
Oakland $143,150 $11,929 $2,753 $69
Hayward $142,916 $11,910 $2,748 $69
Antioch $135,062 $11,255 $2,597 $65
Vallejo $131,874 $10,989 $2,536 $63

What Does a Food Inspector Do?

As a food inspector, you will need both a strong background in science and the ability to interact well with many different individuals within the food processing and serving profession.  The following talents are important when performing your duties:.
Updated December 06, 2021
Good observation:  As a food inspector you will be evaluating facilities, practices, and equipment.  You need to be able to spot problem areas quickly and be able to identify why this poses a threat.
Updated September 25, 2021

Frequently Asked Questions About a Food Inspector Salaries

What is the average of a Food Inspector in California?

The Food Inspector salary range is from $106,393 to $147,135, and the average Food Inspector salary is $129,295/year in California. The Food Inspector's salary will change in different locations.

Which location pays the highest Food Inspector salary in the United States?

The Food Inspector salary in San Jose, CA is $147,851 which is the highest in the US.

What kinds of reasons will influence the Food Inspector's salary?

Besides the location, employees' education degree, related skills, and work experience also will influence the salary. Try to improve your skills and experience to get a higher salary for the position of Food Inspector.

What is the growth rate of the Food Inspector's salary?

If you are thinking of becoming a Food Inspector or planning the next step in your career, find the detailed salary report of a Food Inspector.