City Town Info

San Luis Obispo Employment

Employment and Industries in the San Luis Obispo, California Area

The tables here illustrate essential information about work and employment in the area. Information includes:

  • A table of the most numerous types of work found here, both for jobs generally requiring college degrees and jobs not requiring college degrees.
  • A table listing those careers significantly more common in San Luis Obispo than in other US cities; this is useful both for career planning and for understanding the nature of San Luis Obispo.
  • A list of the highest-paying jobs in San Luis Obispo.
  • A list of any large public companies in San Luis Obispo.

Most Popular Jobs in San Luis Obispo, California Metro Area (2006 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Registered nurses1,49070,380$49,130 - 97,95024%56%
2Elementary school teachers, except special education1,39054,710$30,980 - 76,09014%95%
3Teachers and instructors, all other91045,300$23,000 - 67,2209%54%
4Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education82051,660$28,910 - 72,4306%96%
5Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products57058,810$29,340 - 98,3108%51%
6Management analysts49064,870$41,460 - 114,85022%78%
7Accountants and auditors47064,900$41,290 - 87,50018%79%
8Education administrators, postsecondary38096,590$60,170 - 140,65014%78%
9Educational, vocational, and school counselors29053,450$36,900 - 75,56013%73%
10Coaches and scouts27029,460$18,550 - 50,02015%60%
11Financial managers22079,430$49,850 - 116,73013%60%
12Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists20095,940$52,690 - 016%99%
13Social and human service assistants19029,950$21,670 - 40,67034%58%
14Chief executives190148,850$88,010 - 02%65%
15Civil engineers18066,140$29,790 - 102,53018%87%
16Graphic designers17037,340$20,550 - 55,08010%55%
17Network and computer systems administrators16060,970$34,520 - 92,44027%50%
18Physical therapists16058,260$42,690 - 81,14027%89%
19Computer programmers15061,120$32,420 - 91,4200%73%
20Sales managers15085,390$48,210 - 010%69%
21Lawyers150117,850$62,470 - 011%99%
22Sales and related workers, all other15048,800$18,640 - 014%62%
23Pharmacists150101,680$77,760 - 123,55022%97%
24Mechanical engineers15091,890$52,140 - 04%78%
25Computer systems analysts14062,720$42,410 - 85,49029%68%
26Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education14056,830$27,740 - 80,40011%95%
27Education administrators, elementary and secondary school14086,770$51,580 - 117,8508%78%
28Medical and public health social workers14051,390$29,830 - 65,17024%77%
29Advertising sales agents13048,130$24,690 - 78,01020%56%
30Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents12073,600$20,600 - 025%67%
31Managers, all other12080,690$50,580 - 116,9807%55%
32Engineering managers12093,240$62,770 - 128,7307%84%
33Social and community service managers11064,430$33,860 - 129,53025%72%
34Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school11048,000$25,990 - 73,09020%87%
35Medical and health services managers11072,540$44,420 - 101,38016%57%
36Child, family, and school social workers11056,680$34,050 - 79,75019%77%
37Librarians10055,080$37,320 - 80,1204%85%
38Electrical engineers10071,670$55,410 - 92,5506%81%
39Computer and information systems managers10076,770$52,890 - 103,23016%73%
40Surveyors9063,720$44,990 - 83,60024%82%
41Network systems and data communications analysts9063,250$34,010 - 92,84053%57%
42Electronics engineers, except computer9087,300$50,490 - 130,1604%81%
43Personal financial advisors9086,340$32,660 - 041%81%
44Computer software engineers, applications9069,500$37,910 - 93,79045%85%
45Marketing managers8076,770$47,890 - 132,48014%69%
46Public relations specialists8044,620$30,050 - 57,27018%81%
47Computer software engineers, systems software7068,040$23,070 - 110,48028%85%
48Occupational therapists7066,690$51,370 - 86,44023%90%
49Marriage and family therapists7040,300$30,430 - 49,16030%73%
50Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other7064,400$41,310 - 89,62017%56%
51Floral designers7021,500$16,360 - 28,7200%55%
52Urban and regional planners7057,130$39,200 - 83,29015%92%
53Meeting and convention planners6046,340$29,650 - 73,00020%67%
54Counselors, all other6041,630$30,690 - 53,09017%73%
55Medical and clinical laboratory technicians6046,540$27,630 - 68,45015%51%
56Special education teachers, secondary school6042,500$32,970 - 60,2409%87%
57Clergy6053,440$40,040 - 76,39019%75%
58Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products6066,000$38,920 - 127,60012%51%
59Market research analysts6058,780$38,670 - 88,46020%82%
60Credit analysts6074,280$35,670 - 136,8002%60%
61Architects, except landscape and naval5075,210$47,230 - 96,25018%88%
62Training and development specialists5054,310$30,340 - 82,15018%56%
63Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation5043,730$26,470 - 70,8405%58%
64Reporters and correspondents5039,680$24,160 - 69,5801%85%
65Rehabilitation counselors5029,840$19,700 - 39,93023%73%
66Industrial engineers5073,710$49,220 - 96,09020%74%
67Veterinarians5087,130$61,930 - 122,61035%100%
68Dentists, general50138,140$90,700 - 09%100%
69Special education teachers, middle school4045,040$33,100 - 62,13016%87%
70Education administrators, preschool and child care center/program4047,300$27,320 - 87,08024%78%
71Legislators4039,410$25,480 - 55,3101%65%
72Instructional coordinators4051,120$29,900 - 87,60023%79%
73Detectives and criminal investigators4079,160$53,700 - 101,93017%54%
74Environmental scientists and specialists, including health4065,110$49,610 - 86,60025%93%
75Editors4046,870$20,500 - 85,5102%81%
76Speech-language pathologists4059,780$50,560 - 71,37011%98%
77Physician assistants4081,260$68,560 - 95,29027%67%
78Interior designers4045,210$32,130 - 58,00020%55%
79Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists3052,240$37,150 - 79,66018%56%
80Conservation scientists3056,090$43,440 - 71,4405%86%
81Producers and directors3054,880$26,450 - 105,47011%75%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Retail salespersons4,84022,600$15,420 - 34,17012%25%
2Cashiers3,29021,220$15,450 - 35,510-2%10%
3Office clerks, general2,94024,960$16,260 - 36,12013%19%
4Waiters and waitresses2,25017,510$14,640 - 18,48011%14%
5Business operations specialists, all other2,22054,190$27,760 - 82,29021%49%
6Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse1,86019,050$15,030 - 23,810-2%4%
7Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food1,70017,020$14,750 - 20,48018%5%
8Teacher assistants1,62023,880$16,500 - 31,41010%18%
9Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks1,54032,160$22,000 - 44,35013%16%
10Construction laborers1,53032,070$21,240 - 44,03011%5%
11General and operations managers1,49086,810$46,380 - [?]2%48%
12Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners1,46023,910$16,210 - 33,38015%4%
13Maids and housekeeping cleaners1,27017,110$15,020 - 19,27013%5%
14Stock clerks and order fillers1,26025,170$16,060 - 42,240-7%8%
15Landscaping and groundskeeping workers1,21025,300$15,400 - 39,50018%6%
16First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers1,16039,020$24,210 - 55,5504%25%
17Carpenters1,14043,940$29,840 - 57,42010%6%
18Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand1,09022,920$15,880 - 32,0402%5%
19Cooks, fast food1,08017,220$14,970 - 20,4308%5%
20First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers1,08045,700$29,260 - 67,9606%29%
21Receptionists and information clerks1,07023,470$16,380 - 29,38017%13%
22Cooks, restaurant1,06022,110$17,010 - 28,08012%5%
23Customer service representatives1,01029,590$16,820 - 44,80025%22%
24Executive secretaries and administrative assistants98041,740$29,190 - 57,08015%18%
25Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop96018,320$14,930 - 22,76010%8%
26Maintenance and repair workers, general94033,530$20,000 - 51,45010%6%
27Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer93038,250$25,610 - 53,52010%4%
28Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive89028,780$18,860 - 38,6801%18%
29Food preparation workers88018,920$15,230 - 23,83015%7%
30Dishwashers72016,130$14,670 - 18,07010%3%
31First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers69027,190$18,710 - 36,37011%14%
32Counter and rental clerks69019,980$15,040 - 24,04023%16%
33Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers68016,240$14,680 - 18,25012%6%
34First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers66061,730$45,510 - 81,9809%10%
35Packers and packagers, hand64017,380$14,840 - 21,760-11%3%
36Tellers62025,050$19,580 - 33,14014%16%
37Police and sheriff's patrol officers61065,830$44,580 - 85,64011%33%
38Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants56022,940$16,460 - 31,08018%7%
39Security guards56034,850$16,170 - 56,89017%13%
40Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks55024,120$16,650 - 36,5404%6%
41Truck drivers, light or delivery services54029,860$17,460 - 48,0908%4%
42Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks53019,330$15,660 - 23,90017%14%
43Automotive service technicians and mechanics49036,220$18,890 - 58,83014%4%
44Team assemblers48023,470$15,980 - 33,6100%5%
45Medical assistants47032,600$24,340 - 41,39035%10%
46Fire fighters47051,670$26,790 - 85,38012%18%
47Painters, construction and maintenance46037,610$24,050 - 51,00012%6%
48Personal and home care aides45020,600$16,780 - 24,47051%10%
49Preschool teachers, except special education44026,050$17,850 - 36,26026%43%
50Recreation workers44021,940$15,450 - 31,98013%47%
51Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters44052,850$23,920 - 80,32011%4%
52Bartenders43019,080$14,910 - 27,23011%17%
53Electricians42049,020$25,350 - 73,7607%7%
54Cement masons and concrete finishers41042,430$29,250 - 56,26011%2%
55Dental assistants41030,740$20,270 - 43,62029%9%
56First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers41055,890$28,390 - 92,440-4%15%
57Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors38029,190$15,760 - 51,22027%47%
58Medical secretaries37028,280$18,990 - 43,37017%18%
59Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop37017,890$15,040 - 22,24010%17%
60Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators36042,670$26,520 - 67,1508%3%
61Home health aides35020,410$16,430 - 23,99049%7%
62Computer support specialists34046,190$29,100 - 70,01013%43%
63Driver/sales workers34026,750$14,570 - 57,070-4%4%
64First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers34057,730$33,030 - 84,0407%13%
65Billing and posting clerks and machine operators32031,150$23,800 - 40,0104%15%
66Amusement and recreation attendants32018,020$14,910 - 22,01024%22%
67Child care workers32019,850$14,900 - 28,29018%15%
68Architectural and civil drafters31040,310$24,060 - 58,6806%25%
69Cleaners of vehicles and equipment30018,820$14,600 - 26,43014%3%
70Loan officers29057,520$38,550 - 86,02012%49%
71Food service managers28044,310$31,510 - 57,7205%24%
72Property, real estate, and community association managers28040,430$18,990 - 84,09015%36%
73Industrial truck and tractor operators27031,330$18,640 - 47,880-1%2%
74Postal service mail carriers27043,190$34,000 - 51,0601%11%
75Machinists26041,350$17,290 - 69,920-2%3%
76Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses26042,650$33,430 - 50,50014%7%
77Refuse and recyclable material collectors23040,880$24,760 - 60,6607%3%
78All other information and record clerks23029,270$20,750 - 41,280-12%21%
79Loan interviewers and clerks21036,680$24,030 - 50,6900%24%
80Bus drivers, transit and intercity21032,090$19,470 - 50,59013%4%
81Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders20022,510$15,580 - 32,460-4%5%
82Printing machine operators20039,570$22,670 - 56,580-5%6%
83Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers20061,740$49,130 - 87,1803%13%
84Dental hygienists19071,750$59,850 - 85,81030%33%
85Cooks, short order19020,420$15,980 - 26,0605%5%
86Order clerks19024,580$18,250 - 33,370-23%16%
87Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders18039,480$21,610 - 70,970-2%14%
88Roofers18038,790$21,760 - 52,36014%3%
89Sales representatives, services, all other18051,220$25,130 - 89,96028%48%
90Chefs and head cooks18032,870$21,060 - 46,5408%14%
91Protective service workers, all other17028,100$16,800 - 48,12013%31%
92Cost estimators17053,790$34,440 - 76,47019%32%
93Insurance sales agents16050,200$28,470 - 64,47013%45%
94Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists16039,930$27,550 - 50,41012%3%
95Parts salespersons16035,610$20,980 - 50,890-1%6%
96Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers16039,160$24,600 - 61,4805%2%
97Pharmacy technicians16034,170$25,880 - 42,39032%16%
98Telecommunications line installers and repairers15044,570$27,910 - 65,4705%8%
99Word processors and typists15035,160$26,280 - 51,770-11%19%
100Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters15031,770$21,780 - 44,2003%4%
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Jobs More Common Near San Luis Obispo Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
First-line supervisors/managers of farming, fishing, and forestry workers36,07015018.2
Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse19,0501,86011.2
Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders39,48018010
Lodging managers43,9501407.9
Education administrators, postsecondary96,5903806.5
First-line supervisors/managers of fire fighting and prevention workers60,8901005.3
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks19,3305303.8
Architectural and civil drafters40,3103103.7
Protective service workers, all other28,1001703.6
Refuse and recyclable material collectors40,8802303.5
Fire fighters51,6704703.1
Teachers and instructors, all other45,3009102.9
Business operations specialists, all other54,1902,2202.9
Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists95,9402002.8
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers19,8301302.8
Coaches and scouts29,4602702.8
Cooks, fast food17,2201,0802.7
Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop18,3209602.6
Cement masons and concrete finishers42,4304102.6
Bus drivers, transit and intercity32,0902102.5
Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators45,0501302.5
Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors29,1903802.4
Chefs and head cooks32,8701802.4
Recreation workers21,9404402.4
Property, real estate, and community association managers40,4302802.3
Painters, construction and maintenance37,6104602.2
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers16,2406802.2
Helpers--carpenters21,0601402.2
New accounts clerks31,7601102.1
Roofers38,7901802.1
Construction laborers32,0701,5302
Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters31,7701502
Counter and rental clerks19,9806902
Maids and housekeeping cleaners17,1101,2702
Food service managers44,3102802
Dishwashers16,1307202
Dental assistants30,7404101.9
Teacher assistants23,8801,6201.9
Amusement and recreation attendants18,0203201.9
Library technicians30,9901301.9
First-line supervisors/managers of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers38,4901501.8
Educational, vocational, and school counselors53,4502901.8
Cooks, restaurant22,1101,0601.8
Police and sheriff's patrol officers65,8306101.8
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers25,3001,2101.7
Telecommunications line installers and repairers44,5701501.7
Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers61,7402001.7
Medical and public health social workers51,3901401.7
Preschool teachers, except special education26,0504401.6
Tire repairers and changers17,9401001.6

Work Paying Relatively Well in the San Luis Obispo, California Metro Area (2006 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Real estate sales agents111,4802.32120
Security guards34,8501.52560
Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists95,9401.52200
Police and sheriff's patrol officers65,8301.48610
Child, family, and school social workers56,6801.48110
Refuse and recyclable material collectors40,8801.42230
Mechanical engineers91,8901.33150
Pharmacy technicians34,1701.3160
Fire fighters51,6701.3470
Sales and related workers, all other48,8001.29150
Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers61,7401.26200
Teachers and instructors, all other45,3001.26910
Printing machine operators39,5701.25200
Registered nurses70,3801.251,490
Medical assistants32,6001.25470
Data entry keyers30,2301.24120
Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping40,8601.24110
Education administrators, postsecondary96,5901.23380
Cement masons and concrete finishers42,4301.23410
Switchboard operators, including answering service27,6201.23130
Lawyers117,8501.22150
Social and community service managers64,4301.22110
Cashiers21,2201.213,290
Parts salespersons35,6101.21160
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters52,8501.21440
Dental hygienists71,7501.21190
Word processors and typists35,1601.2150
Loan interviewers and clerks36,6801.2210
Carpenters43,9401.21,140
Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education56,8301.19140
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers39,1601.18160
Accountants and auditors64,9001.18470
Medical and public health social workers51,3901.18140
Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators45,0501.17130
Elementary school teachers, except special education54,7101.171,390
Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks33,0201.17130
Painters, construction and maintenance37,6101.17460
Bakers26,6501.17110
Machinists41,3501.16260
Computer support specialists46,1901.16340
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses42,6501.16260
Insurance claims and policy processing clerks35,8501.16130
Bus drivers, transit and intercity32,0901.16210
Executive secretaries and administrative assistants41,7401.16980
Roofers38,7901.16180
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school86,7701.15140
Teacher assistants23,8801.151,620
Stock clerks and order fillers25,1701.141,260
Truck drivers, light or delivery services29,8601.13540
Social and human service assistants29,9501.13190

Highest Paying Jobs in San Luis Obispo, California Metro Area (2006 data)

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
Surgeons162,42080
Physicians and surgeons, all other160,830 
Chief executives148,850190
Dentists, general138,14050
Family and general practitioners134,390 
Lawyers117,850150
Pediatricians, general115,000 
Real estate sales agents111,480120
Pharmacists101,680150
Education administrators, postsecondary96,590380
Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists95,940200
Engineering managers93,240120
Mechanical engineers91,890150
First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives89,59040
Electronics engineers, except computer87,30090
Veterinarians87,13050
General and operations managers86,8101,490
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school86,770140
Personal financial advisors86,34090
Sales managers85,390150
Industrial production managers81,350110
Physician assistants81,26040
Managers, all other80,690120
Financial managers79,430220
Detectives and criminal investigators79,16040
Construction managers79,020140
Appraisers and assessors of real estate77,470 
Marketing managers76,77080
Computer and information systems managers76,770100
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers76,73040
Architects, except landscape and naval75,21050
Credit analysts74,28060
Industrial engineers73,71050
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents73,600120
Medical and health services managers72,540110
Dental hygienists71,750190
Electrical engineers71,670100
Registered nurses70,3801,490
Computer software engineers, applications69,50090
Computer specialists, all other68,950 
Computer software engineers, systems software68,04070
Administrative services managers67,22090
Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators66,98030
Occupational therapists66,69070
Civil engineers66,140180
Title examiners, abstractors, and searchers66,05050
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products66,00060
Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers65,960 
Police and sheriff's patrol officers65,830610
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health65,11040

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