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

Waiter or Waitress Salary in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA

In the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $35,400 ($17.02/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $33,700/year and the 90th was $67,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and California tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $30,225 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 108.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$35,400$17.02 per hour · $2,950 monthly
10th Percentile$33,700$16.20/hr base
25th Percentile$34,200$16.44/hr base
75th Percentile$39,100$18.80/hr base
90th Percentile$67,600$32.50/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

$35,400
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$35,400
Net 85%
Fed 6%
CA 1%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$30,225After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,519Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,163Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,068 / yr
California state income tax$399 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,708 / yr

Waiters and Waitresses 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 Waiters and Waitresses in the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CA)
10th Percentile$16.20/hr$2,808$33,700$28,927
25th Percentile$16.44/hr$2,850$34,200$29,309
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.02/hr$2,950$35,400$30,225
75th Percentile$18.80/hr$3,258$39,100$33,050
90th Percentile$32.50/hr$5,633$67,600$54,204

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 $$35,400 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 Ratio36.3%of area median income

Compare waiters or waitresses salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in California:

Frequently Asked Questions About Waiters and Waitresses Pay in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA is $35,400, which equates to approximately $2,950 per month or $17.02 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA is $17.02 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.20/hour and one in ten earned more than $32.50/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA span from $33,700 at the 10th percentile to $34,200 at the 25th, $39,100 at the 75th, and $67,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?

On a median gross salary of $35,400, an estimated $30,225 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,163 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,175 (an effective rate of 14.6%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?

On the median annual salary of $35,400, gross monthly income is $2,950. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,519 per month (or $1,163 every two weeks).

Is $35,400 a good salary in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?

At $35,400, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 36.3% 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.