Waiters and Waitresses Salary in San Luis Obispo, CA

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

Median annual salary $34,540 +2.3% vs national
Median hourly $16.61
10th percentile $33,280
90th percentile $75,680
Employed locally 2,860
National median $33,760

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Waiters and Waitresses
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San Luis Obispo, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $33,280
    25th
    $33,810
    50th (median)
    $34,540
    75th
    $36,000
    90th
    $75,680

    San Luis Obispo economic context

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

    Top-paying metros for Waiters and Waitresses

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $71,920
    Burlington-South Burlington, VT $66,350
    Vermont $60,910
    Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $60,840
    Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $53,460
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $48,760

    Nearby metros — Waiters and Waitresses salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Utica-Rome, NY $47,380
    Ithaca, NY $46,610
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $40,620
    Capital/Northern New York nonmetropolitan area $38,960
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $37,360
    Napa, CA $37,090

    Related occupations in San Luis Obispo, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$36,900
    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
    Food Preparation Workers$36,890

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in San Luis Obispo?

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in San Luis Obispo, CA is $16.61, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.88 or more per hour.

    Is San Luis Obispo above or below average for Waiters and Waitresses salaries?

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in San Luis Obispo, CA is 2.3% above the national median of $33,760. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Waiters and Waitresses in San Luis Obispo?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (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 $33,810.