Cooking & Kitchen · 🇺🇸 United States

Kitchen Helper Jobs in San Francisco, CA

$17–$23 an hour · 6 days a week alongside the cook

Quick answer

Kitchen Helper jobs in San Francisco, CA typically pay $17–$23 an hour (about $2,950–$4,000 a month full time). Live-in positions are common, with a usual schedule of 6 days a week alongside the cook. Employers ask for some kitchen experience preferred and a criminal background check. Register with AvailJob to be matched with families hiring in San Francisco.

Typical pay
$17–$23
per hour
Full-time monthly
$2,950–$4,000
about 40 hours a week
Live-in
Common
accommodation provided
Schedule
6 days a week alongside the cook
Open now
0
register to be matched

Open kitchen helper positions in San Francisco

No open position is listed for San Francisco today. New kitchen helper jobs are added as families hire. Register once and we will match you to the next opening near you.

Register as a Kitchen Helper

About kitchen helper jobs in San Francisco

Kitchen Helper jobs in San Francisco, CA are household positions: a kitchen helper supports the household cook or chef with preparation, washing up and keeping the kitchen in order. Families hiring in San Francisco range from young professionals in the city centre to established households across San Francisco Bay Area.

San Francisco is known for venture capital, AI research, fintech, and social media, and many of the families who hire domestic staff here work for employers such as Salesforce, Airbnb, Lyft, Wells Fargo, and thousands of funded startups. San Francisco generates more venture capital investment per capita than anywhere else on Earth.

Main duties

  • Wash, peel and chop ingredients
  • Wash dishes and kitchen equipment
  • Keep work surfaces and floors clean
  • Unpack and store deliveries
  • Help serve meals and clear tables

Kitchen Helper pay in San Francisco

Household incomes in San Francisco are shaped by an average local salary of around $108,000, which is why kitchen helper pay here sits above the USA average. Pay rises with experience, references, live-in flexibility and extra duties such as driving or cooking.

Household roles in San FranciscoTypical pay ranges, per hour. Kitchen Helper highlighted.
Kitchen Helper$17–$23
Home Cook$21–$35
Male Cook$21–$37
Female Cook$21–$35
Governess$35–$63
House Driver$20–$32
Kitchen Helper pay across USATypical ranges in the largest cities, per hour.
New York City$17–$22
Los Angeles$15–$21
Chicago$15–$20
Houston$15–$19
Dallas$15–$20
Miami$15–$19

Indicative ranges for 2026 based on local salary levels and published household pay; individual offers vary.

A day as a kitchen helper

Typical day — Kitchen HelperAn example day — real schedules are agreed with each family.
  1. 7:00Breakfast service
  2. 9:30Shopping & prep
  3. 12:30Lunch
  4. 15:00Batch cooking
  5. 18:30Dinner & clean-down

Why work in San Francisco?

The local job market is growing at 2.1% annually, so demand for reliable household staff keeps rising as more dual-income families move to San Francisco.

San Francisco is often described as “Global Center of Technology and Innovation”, and its households expect a professional standard of service.

Requirements

What families ask for

  • Some kitchen experience preferred
  • Basic hygiene knowledge
  • Reliability and teamwork
  • Ability to stand for long periods

Working in United States

  • Right to work in United States: Workers must be authorised to work in the United States, and employers complete Form I-9 to verify eligibility.
  • Checks: employers usually ask for a criminal background check, identity and Social Security verification, a motor-vehicle record for driving roles and, for childcare, a sex-offender registry search.
  • Minimum pay: wages must meet the federal minimum wage or the higher state and city minimum, whichever applies.
  • Contract: A written work agreement covering duties, hours, pay, overtime, paid time off, termination notice and confidentiality prevents most disputes.

Live-in or live-out?

Live-in kitchen helper roles in San Francisco normally include a private room and meals; the value of board is sometimes deducted from pay, so compare offers on the total package. Live-out roles pay the full hourly rate, and families often add travel costs for early starts.

How to get hired

  1. Register

    Create your profile with your kitchen helper experience, availability and references.

  2. Verification

    Complete USA right-to-work and background checks.

  3. Interview & trial

    Meet the family and work a short, paid trial day.

  4. Contract & start

    Agree pay, hours and leave in writing before you start.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a kitchen helper earn in San Francisco, CA?

Kitchen Helper jobs in San Francisco, CA typically pay $17–$23 an hour (about $2,950–$4,000 a month full time). Experience, live-in arrangements, hours and extra duties move pay within this range.

Are there live-in kitchen helper jobs in San Francisco?

Live-in positions are common. Live-in kitchen helper roles in San Francisco normally include a private room and meals; the value of board is sometimes deducted from pay, so compare offers on the total package.

What do I need to work as a kitchen helper in USA?

Employers ask for some kitchen experience preferred, basic hygiene knowledge and a criminal background check. You must also have the right to work in United States.

What does a kitchen helper do day to day?

A kitchen helper supports the household cook or chef with preparation, washing up and keeping the kitchen in order. Typical duties include wash, peel and chop ingredients, wash dishes and kitchen equipment, keep work surfaces and floors clean.

How do I apply for kitchen helper jobs in San Francisco on AvailJob?

Register your profile with your experience, availability and references. When a family in San Francisco hires for this role, you are matched and contacted.

What hours does a kitchen helper work?

A typical schedule is 6 days a week alongside the cook. Hours, days off and overtime should be written into your contract.