Average salary for chef in California?

What is the average salary in the Bay Area California ?

• ....if possible specifically for Cisco staff. I live in the UK and been offered a job with Cisco. I need to know what is considered a good salary in the Bay Area to ensure one lives a decent lifestyle

• Answer:

  The Bay Area is expensive. It is probably the most expensive area in the Continental U.S. Housing is ridiculously expensive (expect to spend at least $2,000/mo for a modest apartment). If you'll be here for some time and hope to buy a house, expect to pay $700,000 for a small home in a not-so-nice neighborhood or closer to a million dollars for a 3-bedroom home in a nicer town. Gas (petrol, to you) is extremely expensive, as is food. And we have a sales tax (8.25%) on all purchases except food, clothing, and fuel. Here's some information about salaries for senior-level positions: http://itmanagement.earthweb.com/entdev/article.php/621641 If that doesn't have the info you're looking for, just search on "Silicon Valley average salary." There are several other surveys that might be of interest. That said, I would expect that a company as large as Cisco has a policy about transferred employees and adjusting their salaries to compensate for the cost of living. If you can, negotiate with your employer for new salary. And good luck! In spite of the cost of living, the Bay Area is a wonderful place to live -- lots to do and an ideal climate.