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Restaurant Owner Salary in California, United States
How much does a Restaurant Owner make in California, United States?
$89,621 (USD)/year
Average Bonus
$2,241 (USD)
per Year
Total Compensation
$90,962.53
Entry Level
$69,292
Median
$88,722
Senior Level
$98,758
As of July, 23, 2026, the average restaurant owner gross salary in California, United States is $89,621 or an equivalent hourly rate of $43. In addition, restaurant owners earn an average bonus of $2,241. An entry level restaurant owner with 1-3 years of experience earns an average salary of $69,292. At the higher end of the pay range, a senior level restaurant owner with 8+ years of experience earns an average salary of $98,758. Salary estimates are based on salary survey data collected directly from employers in California, United States.
Data powered by ERI
Salary Potential for a Restaurant Owner
Explore the estimated salary growth for a Restaurant Owner in California, United States for up to 5 years. The estimated salary of a Restaurant Owner will be $92,077 in 1 year and $102,593 in 5 years.
View Salary by Year
Estimated Salary
$94,600
Average Growth
5.6 %
The estimated salary for a Restaurant Owner in 2 years is $94,600, which is 5.6 % average growth. This information is based on ERI's compensation database.
Typical Restaurant Owner Education
This chart displays the highest level of education for Restaurant Owners.
- 4% of Restaurant Owners have less than a High School Diploma
- 34% of Restaurant Owners have a High School Diploma
- 9% of Restaurant Owners have an Associate's Degree
- 29% of Restaurant Owners have a Bachelor's Degree
- 22% of Restaurant Owners have a Master's Degree
- 2% of Restaurant Owners have a Doctorate Degree
The typical field of study for a Restaurant Owner is Business Administration and Management.
See how education can impact your salaryPopular Skills for a Restaurant Owner
Coordinates activities
89%
Purchases supplies
78%
Directs indoctrination
67%
Reviews economic data
56%
These are the most popular skills for Restaurant Owners. About 89% of Restaurant Owners have a skill in Coordinates activities. The top 3 most popular skills for Restaurant Owners are coordinates activities, purchases supplies, and directs indoctrination.
See how skills can impact your salaryAre you getting paid what you're worth?
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Where can a Restaurant Owner earn more?
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Restaurant Owner Salaries in Other Locations
Salaries for Similar Job Titles in California, United States
Data not available.
Restaurant Owner Jobs
View moreCost of Living in California, United States
The cost of living in California, United States is 40% higher than the national average.
40% higher
than the national average
Whether you're planning to move or just want to see the cost of living in different locations, our cost-of-living calculator is the place to start. Compare salaries for other locations by city, U.S. ZIP code, state, or country.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Restaurant Owner do?
Owns and manages a restaurant, cafeteria, independent fast food franchise, wholesale-prepared food establishment, or food services operation of a hotel, institutional food facility, or similar establishment. Formulates administrative and operational policies and procedures. Directs and coordinates, often through subordinate managerial personnel, activities of operations to obtain optimum use of equipment, facilities, and personnel.
How much does a Restaurant Owner make in California, United States?
The average salary for a Restaurant Owner is $89,621 per year or $43.09 per hour in California, United States. Top earners have reported making up to $98,758. However, the typical pay range in California, United States is between $69,292 and $98,758 annually.
What is the salary trajectory for a Restaurant Owner?
Restaurant Owner is projected to see a 14.5 % salary change in 5 years.
How can you increase your salary?
Increasing your salary often starts with understanding your value in today’s job market. You can increase your earning potential by building your skills, advancing your education, moving into a new role or industry, switching companies, or negotiating pay.
How can you negotiate a salary offer?
Negotiating a salary offer involves preparation and finding our your market value. Use our salary calculator to find out how much you should be paid based on what someone in your area, with similar experience, earns. Use this personalized report to help negotiate a higher salary offer or find your dream career.
What are some factors that impact Restaurant Owner salaries?
Several factors can impact your salary, including experience, company size, job market, location, industry, and more. Understanding how these factors affect your role can help you spot pay gaps and provide opportunities for a competitive salary.
About Our Data
This page is an excerpt of the much more complete compensation information available in ERI's Assessor Series.
ERI compiles the most robust and accurate salary, cost-of-living, and executive compensation survey database available. Data are analyzed using AI and traditional statistics, depending on which approach is best for a particular application. ERI collects salary survey data from five different sources, which you can learn about here.
Verified Sources
Data sourced from internal salary surveys, purchased surveys, public sources, HRIS data, and proprietary databases.
Real-Time Data
Our salary database is updated and verified approximately every six weeks.
Quality Assurance
Along with our data scientists, we have included AI in our rigorous process to analyze and provide the highest quality data.
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