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San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA

In the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $38,600 ($18.56/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $34,500/year and the 90th was $47,500/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and California tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $32,668 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 108.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$38,600$18.56 per hour · $3,217 monthly
10th Percentile$34,500$16.59/hr base
25th Percentile$36,300$17.45/hr base
75th Percentile$43,700$21.01/hr base
90th Percentile$47,500$22.84/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-home payWhat $39,000 a year leaves after tax in CaliforniaFederal tax, FICA and California withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$19 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $39,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $39,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation California publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about California.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$38,600
$15,000$80,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$38,600
Net 85%
Fed 6%
CA 1%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$32,668After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,722Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,256Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,452 / yr
California state income tax$527 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,953 / yr
Customize deductions in full California calculator

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Food Preparation Workers in the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CA)
10th Percentile$16.59/hr$2,875$34,500$29,538
25th Percentile$17.45/hr$3,025$36,300$30,912
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$18.56/hr$3,217$38,600$32,668
75th Percentile$21.01/hr$3,642$43,700$36,562
90th Percentile$22.84/hr$3,958$47,500$39,457

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$38,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$97,446Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index108.68.6% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio39.6%of area median income

Compare food preparation workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in California:

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Food Preparation Workers pay in other California metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA is $38,600, which equates to approximately $3,217 per month or $18.56 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA is $18.56 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.59/hour and one in ten earned more than $22.84/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA span from $34,500 at the 10th percentile to $36,300 at the 25th, $43,700 at the 75th, and $47,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?

On a median gross salary of $38,600, an estimated $32,668 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,256 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,932 (an effective rate of 15.4%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?

On the median annual salary of $38,600, gross monthly income is $3,217. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,722 per month (or $1,256 every two weeks).

Is $38,600 a good salary in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?

At $38,600, the median salary for food preparation workers is 39.6% of the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA median household income ($97,446). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 108.6, making regional consumer goods and services 8.6% more expensive than the U.S. average.