Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in San Luis Obispo, CA

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

Median annual salary $64,590 +5.9% vs national
Median hourly $31.05
10th percentile $36,780
90th percentile $92,550
Employed locally 270
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
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San Luis Obispo, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,780
    25th
    $48,970
    50th (median)
    $64,590
    75th
    $76,280
    90th
    $92,550

    San Luis Obispo economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $93,398 2023 • Census ACS
    Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income 69% Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 31% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Chefs and Head Cooks

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $87,410
    Morgantown, WV $87,280
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $85,370
    Terre Haute, IN $83,880
    East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area $81,720
    Hawaii $81,200

    Nearby metros — Chefs and Head Cooks salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $78,050
    Napa, CA $76,350
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $74,640
    Salinas, CA $73,260
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $72,220
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $71,600

    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 Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in San Luis Obispo?

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in San Luis Obispo, CA is $31.05, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $45.04 or more per hour.

    Is San Luis Obispo above or below average for Chefs and Head Cooks salaries?

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in San Luis Obispo, CA is 5.9% above the national median of $60,990. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Chefs and Head Cooks in San Luis Obispo?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $36,780 per year in San Luis Obispo, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,970.