High-paying Food Industry Jobs in Santa Monica
The Food Industry involves producing and distributing food items. Workers ensure safe handling, preparation, and quality control. Knowledge of hygiene standards is critical.
The 3,952 food industry jobs listed below pay well, with salaries between $45,065 and $80,998 per year. Cook, Barista and Server are among the most popular high-paying roles in Santa Monica, CA.
Job title
Updated Jul 21, 2026
Job title
Santa Monica, CA
California
Job openings (Santa Monica)
Restaurant Manager
Santa Monica
$80,998
per year
California
$75,524
per year
Cook
Santa Monica
$22.32
per hour
California
$20.95
per hour
Host/Hostess
Santa Monica
$22.30
per hour
California
$20.44
per hour
Line Cook
Santa Monica
$21.70
per hour
California
$20.93
per hour
Server
Santa Monica
$21.63
per hour
California
$19.09
per hour
Bartender
Santa Monica
$21.48
per hour
California
$19.34
per hour
Prep Cook
Santa Monica
$20.45
per hour
California
$20.06
per hour
Barista
Santa Monica
$20.08
per hour
California
$19.83
per hour
Dishwasher
Santa Monica
$19.77
per hour
California
$19.12
per hour
Busser
Santa Monica
$19.31
per hour
California
$18.20
per hour
Job descriptions below are for educational purposes. Please refer to the employer's job description for complete details.
-
Restaurant Manager
Review job description
Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Restaurant Managers oversee daily operations, manage staff, and ensure customer satisfaction. Experience in restaurant management, leadership skills, and strong customer service abilities are crucial.
Restaurant Manager jobs take 99 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 7% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 311 jobsAverage pay
Santa Monica
$80,998 per yearCalifornia
$75,524 per yearSkills
- Restaurant experience
- Leadership
- Customer service
- Food service
- Food handling
-
Cook
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Cooks prepare meals, manage kitchen operations, and maintain food safety standards. Culinary skills, creativity in menu development, and kitchen management experience are essential.
Cook jobs take 62 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 40% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 722 jobsAverage pay
Santa Monica
$22.32 per hourCalifornia
$20.95 per hourSkills
- Cooking
- Restaurant experience
- Food preparation
- Food service
- Food handling
-
Host/Hostess
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Hosts/Hostesses greet guests, manage reservations, and coordinate seating in dining establishments. A warm demeanor, multitasking abilities, and excellent communication skills are key for a welcoming atmosphere and smooth operations.
Host/Hostess jobs take 72 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 48% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 316 jobsAverage pay
Santa Monica
$22.30 per hourCalifornia
$20.44 per hourSkills
- Customer service
- Restaurant experience
- Hotel experience
- Guest relations
- Serving
-
Line Cook
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Line Cooks prepare food items, maintain kitchen stations, and follow recipes. Key skills include proficiency in culinary techniques, kitchen equipment use, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Line Cook jobs take 113 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 49% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 439 jobsAverage pay
Santa Monica
$21.70 per hourCalifornia
$20.93 per hourSkills
- Cooking
- Restaurant experience
- Kitchen experience
- Food preparation
- Food handling
-
Server
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Servers provide table service, take orders, and ensure guest satisfaction. Experience in food and beverage service, strong communication skills, and attentiveness are key for excellent customer experiences.
Server jobs take 67 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 49% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 470 jobsAverage pay
Santa Monica
$21.63 per hourCalifornia
$19.09 per hourSkills
- Restaurant experience
- Customer service
- Serving
- Communication skills
- Hospitality
-
Bartender
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Bartenders prepare beverages, manage bar inventory, and engage customers. cocktail-making skills, customer service experience, and knowledge of health regulations are needed.
Bartender jobs take 87 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 53% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 286 jobsAverage pay
Santa Monica
$21.48 per hourCalifornia
$19.34 per hourSkills
- Bartending
- Restaurant experience
- Hospitality
- Serving
- Communication skills
-
Prep Cook
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Prep Cooks assist chefs, prepare ingredients, and ensure kitchen cleanliness. Culinary skills, attention to sanitation standards, and teamwork abilities are essential.
Prep Cook jobs take 84 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 45% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 207 jobsAverage pay
Santa Monica
$20.45 per hourCalifornia
$20.06 per hourSkills
- Cooking
- Restaurant experience
- Culinary experience
- Kitchen experience
- Knife skills
-
Barista
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Baristas prepare beverages, maintain cleanliness, and provide excellent customer service. Experience with coffee machines, strong interpersonal skills, and an understanding of food safety standards are important.
Barista jobs take 64 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 41% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 690 jobsAverage pay
Santa Monica
$20.08 per hourCalifornia
$19.83 per hourSkills
- Customer service
- Restaurant experience
- Serving
- Hospitality
- Barista experience
-
Dishwasher
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Dishwashers clean dishes, utensils, and kitchen equipment, ensuring health standards are met. Ability to work efficiently under pressure, reliability, and maintaining clean workspaces are important traits.
Dishwasher jobs take 46 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 47% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 340 jobsAverage pay
Santa Monica
$19.77 per hourCalifornia
$19.12 per hourSkills
- Dishwashing
- Restaurant experience
- Kitchen experience
- Food service
- Communication skills
-
Busser
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Bussers clear tables, assist servers, and maintain dining area cleanliness. Skills in teamwork, time management, and attention to cleanliness are crucial.
Busser jobs take 70 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 48% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 171 jobsAverage pay
Santa Monica
$19.31 per hourCalifornia
$18.20 per hourSkills
- Restaurant experience
- Bussing
- Cleaning
- Food service
- Communication skills