Sorry, but $40/hr cash in SAN DIEGO is a joke. I don't live in California, but I know houses and the cost of living are ridiculously expensive there. Here in NJ and NY, I don't work for any independents that pay less than $45/hr cash. The two I work at pay me $50/hr and $45/hr cash.
Once a guy wanted me to work at his store for $35/hr. I said sure. The time came to open the store and I never showed up. I slept in bed and didn't pick up his phone call. That's what you get for $30-$35/hr.