How much does a cook make in San Luis Obispo?
$43,680a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA metro area. That is $21.00 an hour or $3,640 a month.
- Hourly
- $21.00
- Vs. national median
- +16%
- Rank among cities
- 10 of 63
- Jobs in the area
- 50
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $37,280Median: $43,680Highest 10%: $45,220
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,280 | $17.92 | |
| 25th | $37,960 | $18.25 | |
| Median | $43,680 | $21.00 | |
| 75th | $45,220 | $21.74 | |
| 90th | $45,220 | $21.74 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Santa Rosa, CA | $47,840 |
| San Jose, CA | $44,740 |
| San Francisco, CA | $42,860 |
| Salinas, CA | $39,640 |
| Sacramento, CA | $38,980 |
| San Diego, CA | $38,870 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $38,850 |
| Riverside, CA | $37,040 |
Related jobs in San Luis Obispo
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $59,400 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $48,320 |
| Cook | $44,970 |
| Cook | $43,220 |
| Cook | $42,390 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $42,350 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $38,550 |
| Food Server | $38,150 |
| Cook | $38,020 |
| Dishwasher | $36,760 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in San Luis Obispo?
The median hourly pay in the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA metro area is $21.00 ($43,680 a year).
Do cooks make more in San Luis Obispo than the national average?
Yes: $43,680 against $37,690 nationally, 16% more.
How does San Luis Obispo compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $42,860, so San Luis Obispo pays 2% more.
Where does San Luis Obispo rank for cook pay?
10 of 63 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in San Luis Obispo?
The lowest-paid 10% make $37,280 or less a year; the top 10% make $45,220 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.