Food Preparation Workers Salary in San Luis Obispo, CA

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

Median annual salary $36,890 +7.8% vs national
Median hourly $17.73
10th percentile $34,060
90th percentile $47,000
Employed locally 810
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
San Luis Obispo, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $34,060
    25th
    $35,010
    50th (median)
    $36,890
    75th
    $42,850
    90th
    $47,000

    San Luis Obispo economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $93,398 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 39% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 61% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food Preparation Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    Napa, CA $43,260
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $42,830
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $41,980
    Boulder, CO $41,490
    Greeley, CO $41,340

    Nearby metros — Food Preparation Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    Napa, CA $43,260
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $40,810
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $39,660
    Salinas, CA $38,670
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $38,200

    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 Food Preparation Workers make per hour in San Luis Obispo?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in San Luis Obispo, CA is $17.73, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $24.45 or more per hour.

    Is San Luis Obispo above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in San Luis Obispo, CA is 7.8% above the national median of $34,220. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Preparation Workers in San Luis Obispo?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $34,060 per year in San Luis Obispo, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,010.