Paycheck Atlas

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in San Luis Obispo, CA

The median cooks, institution and cafeteria in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA earns $44,970 a year, 20% above the US median. After tax that is roughly $2,930 a month.

10th percentile
$37,660
25th percentile
$39,300
Median percentile
$44,970
75th percentile
$47,490
90th percentile
$58,360

Based on 340 employed. Data period: BLS OEWS May 2025. Percentiles show the spread of pay, not experience; reading the 25th percentile as "entry level" is only an approximation.

What you keep

$35,165 take-home a year
Gross pay$44,970
Federal income tax−$3,216
Social Security + Medicare−$3,440
California income tax (approx.)−$3,148
Monthly take-home$2,930
Every two weeks$1,353

Does it go far here?

$41,410Median pay in San Luis Obispo, CA is worth this at average US prices (local price level 108.6 vs 100).
68%of take-home pay goes to the median rent ($1,992 a month, Census ACS).

Top-paying jobs in San Luis Obispo, CA

JobMedian pay
Registered Nurses$138,820
Software Developers$135,020
Medical and Health Services Managers$126,700
Civil Engineers$110,210
Project Management Specialists$108,730
Correctional Officers and Jailers$107,220
Sales Managers$102,250
General and Operations Managers$101,840

All cooks, institution and cafeteria salaries · Take-home pay in California