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

Restaurant Cook Salary in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA

In the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA metropolitan area, restaurant cooks earned a median annual wage of $44,000 ($21.15/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $36,400/year and the 90th was $54,500/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and California tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $36,791 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 108.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$44,000$21.15 per hour · $3,667 monthly
10th Percentile$36,400$17.50/hr base
25th Percentile$37,800$18.17/hr base
75th Percentile$46,400$22.31/hr base
90th Percentile$54,500$26.20/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 Pay Explorer

$44,000
$15,000$90,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$44,000
Net 84%
Fed 7%
CA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$36,791After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,066Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,415Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,100 / yr
California state income tax$743 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,366 / yr

Cooks, Restaurant 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 Cooks, Restaurant in the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CA)
10th Percentile$17.50/hr$3,033$36,400$30,989
25th Percentile$18.17/hr$3,150$37,800$32,058
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$21.15/hr$3,667$44,000$36,791
75th Percentile$22.31/hr$3,867$46,400$38,624
90th Percentile$26.20/hr$4,542$54,500$44,661

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 $$44,000 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 Ratio45.2%of area median income

Compare restaurant cooks salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in California:

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA is $44,000, which equates to approximately $3,667 per month or $21.15 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA is $21.15 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.50/hour and one in ten earned more than $26.20/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA span from $36,400 at the 10th percentile to $37,800 at the 25th, $46,400 at the 75th, and $54,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?

On a median gross salary of $44,000, an estimated $36,791 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,415 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,209 (an effective rate of 16.4%).

How much do restaurant cooks make per month in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?

On the median annual salary of $44,000, gross monthly income is $3,667. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,066 per month (or $1,415 every two weeks).

Is $44,000 a good salary in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?

At $44,000, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 45.2% 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.