Bartenders Salary in San Luis Obispo, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA

Median annual salary $34,800 +3.8% vs national
Median hourly $16.73
10th percentile $33,280
90th percentile $79,610
Employed locally 750
National median $33,530

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Bartenders
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San Luis Obispo, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $33,280
    25th
    $33,700
    50th (median)
    $34,800
    75th
    $46,080
    90th
    $79,610

    San Luis Obispo economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $93,398 2023 • Census ACS
    Bartenders salary vs area income 37% Median Bartenders salary is 63% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Bartenders

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $80,040
    Urban Honolulu, HI $70,300
    Hawaii $68,820
    Burlington-South Burlington, VT $65,480
    New York $60,750
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $59,390

    Nearby metros — Bartenders salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Ithaca, NY $49,940
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $39,650
    Capital/Northern New York nonmetropolitan area $39,410
    Utica-Rome, NY $38,630
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $38,620
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $38,430

    Related occupations in San Luis Obispo, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$36,900
    Waiters and Waitresses$34,540
    Cooks, Restaurant$42,290
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$46,870
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$34,350
    Cooks, Fast Food$36,390

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Bartenders make per hour in San Luis Obispo?

    The median hourly wage for Bartenders in San Luis Obispo, CA is $16.73, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $41.07 or more per hour.

    Is San Luis Obispo above or below average for Bartenders salaries?

    The median Bartenders salary in San Luis Obispo, CA is 3.8% above the national median of $33,530. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Bartenders in San Luis Obispo?

    Entry-level Bartenders (10th percentile) earn around $33,280 per year in San Luis Obispo, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $33,700.