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Average salary by job family in Santa Cruz
| Management | $142,890 |
|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | $142,490 |
| Architecture and Engineering | $133,220 |
| Legal | $129,400 |
| Computer and Mathematical | $125,790 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science | $105,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations | $95,310 |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | $82,200 |
| Educational Instruction and Library | $77,110 |
| Protective Service | $75,130 |
| Construction and Extraction | $73,550 |
| Community and Social Service | $71,670 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | $66,380 |
| Office and Administrative Support | $57,290 |
| Production | $54,540 |
| Sales and Related | $53,400 |
| Transportation and Material Moving | $51,800 |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | $48,010 |
| Personal Care and Service | $47,140 |
| Healthcare Support | $45,540 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related | $43,750 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | $41,850 |
Highest-paying jobs in Santa Cruz
- General Internal Medicine Physicians$350,220
- Physicians, All Other$312,910
- Family Medicine Physicians$311,700
- Chief Executives$246,710
- Natural Sciences Managers$211,060
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$201,990
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$199,890
- Education Administrators, Postsecondary$183,730
- Financial Managers$182,240
- Marketing Managers$181,210
Most common jobs in Santa Cruz and what they pay
| Job | Jobs | Average salary | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 4,470 | $37,720 | $34,320 |
| Office Clerks, General | 3,360 | $47,300 | $41,040 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 3,220 | $41,580 | $43,400 |
| Cashiers | 2,530 | $40,710 | $37,390 |
| Retail Salespersons | 2,430 | $42,050 | $38,620 |
| General and Operations Managers | 1,770 | $127,390 | $105,360 |
| Registered Nurses | 1,750 | $159,830 | $170,960 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | 1,640 | $45,020 | $35,930 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 1,510 | $45,400 | $40,780 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 1,250 | $42,130 | $38,710 |
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Cost of living in Santa Cruz
Prices in the Santa Cruz area are 10% above the U.S. average, with a BEA price parity of 109.9 for 2024. The average local salary of $73,140 therefore buys what $66,554 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. A typical home is worth $1,157,157, 10.6 times the median household income of $109,266.
$1,157,157typical home value
$109,266median household income
109.9BEA price parity
266,021metro population
Take-home pay in Santa Cruz
| Salary level | Gross | After tax | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile wage | $40,040 | $33,615 | $2,801 |
| Median wage | $54,730 | $44,680 | $3,723 |
| Average wage | $73,140 | $57,505 | $4,792 |
| 75th percentile wage | $82,920 | $63,544 | $5,295 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Salaries for every job in Santa Cruz
Management27 jobs
- Chief Executives$247K
- Natural Sciences Managers$211K
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$202K
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$200K
- Education Administrators, Postsecondary$184K
- Financial Managers$182K
- Marketing Managers$181K
- Fundraising Managers$178K
- Human Resources Managers$173K
- Managers, All Other$172K
- Medical and Health Services Managers$155K
- Training and Development Managers$154K
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$145K
- Public Relations Managers$142K
- Industrial Production Managers$140K
- Administrative Services Managers$140K
- Sales Managers$137K
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$133K
- Facilities Managers$131K
- Construction Managers$130K
- General and Operations Managers$127K
- Education Administrators, All Other$122K
- Social and Community Service Managers$93K
- Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling$87K
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$84K
- Food Service Managers$79K
- Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$68K
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical30 jobs
- General Internal Medicine Physicians$350K
- Physicians, All Other$313K
- Family Medicine Physicians$312K
- Dentists, General$173K
- Veterinarians$170K
- Nurse Practitioners$170K
- Pharmacists$163K
- Registered Nurses$160K
- Physician Assistants$160K
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers$138K
- Respiratory Therapists$134K
- Occupational Therapists$132K
- Optometrists$131K
- Dental Hygienists$130K
- Physical Therapists$127K
- Speech-Language Pathologists$123K
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$117K
- Dietitians and Nutritionists$104K
- Surgical Technologists$95K
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$84K
- Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$82K
- Acupuncturists$77K
- Paramedics$76K
- Medical Records Specialists$67K
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$64K
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$63K
- Emergency Medical Technicians$60K
- Opticians, Dispensing$59K
- Pharmacy Technicians$58K
- Psychiatric Technicians$46K
Architecture and Engineering10 jobs
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer$178K
- Computer Hardware Engineers$160K
- Electrical Engineers$148K
- Engineers, All Other$147K
- Mechanical Engineers$140K
- Industrial Engineers$131K
- Environmental Engineers$126K
- Civil Engineers$118K
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$105K
- Architectural and Civil Drafters$75K
Legal2 jobs
Computer and Mathematical13 jobs
- Software Developers$154K
- Data Scientists$133K
- Computer Programmers$128K
- Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$127K
- Computer Systems Analysts$123K
- Computer Occupations, All Other$121K
- Web and Digital Interface Designers$120K
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators$117K
- Operations Research Analysts$111K
- Database Administrators$109K
- Computer Network Support Specialists$100K
- Web Developers$91K
- Computer User Support Specialists$79K
Life, Physical, and Social Science16 jobs
- Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers$143K
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$141K
- Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists$123K
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$121K
- Urban and Regional Planners$121K
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$111K
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$110K
- Biological Scientists, All Other$105K
- Chemists$97K
- Conservation Scientists$96K
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health$79K
- Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other$76K
- Anthropologists and Archeologists$74K
- Biological Technicians$67K
- Chemical Technicians$58K
- Forest and Conservation Technicians$51K
Business and Financial Operations22 jobs
- Personal Financial Advisors$145K
- Labor Relations Specialists$127K
- Management Analysts$113K
- Project Management Specialists$112K
- Financial Risk Specialists$108K
- Financial and Investment Analysts$106K
- Logisticians$106K
- Compliance Officers$99K
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$98K
- Cost Estimators$97K
- Accountants and Auditors$95K
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other$94K
- Human Resources Specialists$93K
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$89K
- Loan Officers$86K
- Fundraisers$83K
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents$81K
- Training and Development Specialists$81K
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$79K
- Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$74K
- Tax Preparers$66K
- Financial Specialists, All Other$66K
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media8 jobs
Educational Instruction and Library16 jobs
- Instructional Coordinators$102K
- Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$96K
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$95K
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$94K
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$92K
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$87K
- Teachers and Instructors, All Other$86K
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$83K
- Special Education Teachers, All Other$77K
- Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other$76K
- Museum Technicians and Conservators$69K
- Self-Enrichment Teachers$62K
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$59K
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$52K
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$49K
- Tutors$46K
Protective Service8 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$164K
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$122K
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$116K
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators$111K
- Correctional Officers and Jailers$88K
- Firefighters$71K
- Security Guards$48K
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$42K
Construction and Extraction17 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$97K
- Construction and Building Inspectors$92K
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$84K
- Electricians$83K
- Carpenters$78K
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$78K
- Solar Photovoltaic Installers$74K
- Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers$73K
- Tile and Stone Setters$71K
- Plasterers and Stucco Masons$69K
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$68K
- Stonemasons$63K
- Roofers$63K
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance$63K
- Glaziers$62K
- Construction Laborers$62K
- Helpers--Carpenters$58K
Community and Social Service14 jobs
- Healthcare Social Workers$92K
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$86K
- Marriage and Family Therapists$84K
- Health Education Specialists$81K
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$74K
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$67K
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers$66K
- Directors, Religious Activities and Education$66K
- Clergy$65K
- Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$62K
- Counselors, All Other$62K
- Community Health Workers$61K
- Social and Human Service Assistants$59K
- Rehabilitation Counselors$47K
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair13 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$86K
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$85K
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$81K
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$77K
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$77K
- Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers$77K
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics$73K
- Automotive Body and Related Repairers$66K
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$60K
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$56K
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$55K
- Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers$51K
- Tire Repairers and Changers$44K
Office and Administrative Support34 jobs
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$90K
- Public Safety Telecommunicators$89K
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$81K
- Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$72K
- Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other$72K
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$72K
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$68K
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$66K
- Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan$65K
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$65K
- Postal Service Mail Carriers$64K
- Postal Service Clerks$64K
- Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks$63K
- Bill and Account Collectors$62K
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$62K
- Billing and Posting Clerks$62K
- Information and Record Clerks, All Other$60K
- Loan Interviewers and Clerks$60K
- Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$59K
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$58K
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$58K
- Procurement Clerks$55K
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$55K
- File Clerks$55K
- Customer Service Representatives$53K
- Library Assistants, Clerical$53K
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$51K
- Data Entry Keyers$49K
- Order Clerks$49K
- Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping$48K
- Tellers$48K
- Office Clerks, General$47K
- Receptionists and Information Clerks$47K
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$40K
Production22 jobs
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$91K
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$78K
- Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$62K
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$61K
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$60K
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$60K
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$59K
- Machinists$58K
- Production Workers, All Other$58K
- Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters$58K
- Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood$56K
- Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$55K
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$51K
- Sewing Machine Operators$47K
- Printing Press Operators$47K
- Butchers and Meat Cutters$47K
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$44K
- Bakers$43K
- Helpers--Production Workers$43K
- Food Batchmakers$42K
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$40K
- Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers$40K
Sales and Related14 jobs
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$150K
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$87K
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$87K
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$87K
- Insurance Sales Agents$84K
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$76K
- Sales and Related Workers, All Other$69K
- Real Estate Sales Agents$60K
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$55K
- Parts Salespersons$47K
- Counter and Rental Clerks$46K
- Demonstrators and Product Promoters$45K
- Retail Salespersons$42K
- Cashiers$41K
Transportation and Material Moving15 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$65K
- Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$64K
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$60K
- Bus Drivers, School$57K
- Light Truck Drivers$50K
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$47K
- Parking Attendants$46K
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$45K
- Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$44K
- Driver/Sales Workers$43K
- Stockers and Order Fillers$42K
- Material Moving Workers, All Other$42K
- Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$42K
- Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants$41K
- Packers and Packagers, Hand$39K
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance7 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$70K
- First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$62K
- Pest Control Workers$61K
- Tree Trimmers and Pruners$57K
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$49K
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$45K
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$44K
Personal Care and Service13 jobs
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$71K
- First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers$60K
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services$59K
- Residential Advisors$54K
- Skincare Specialists$50K
- Tour and Travel Guides$47K
- Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other$46K
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$45K
- Recreation Workers$43K
- Animal Caretakers$43K
- Childcare Workers$41K
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants$38K
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers$36K
Healthcare Support11 jobs
- Physical Therapist Assistants$89K
- Medical Equipment Preparers$71K
- Massage Therapists$70K
- Phlebotomists$64K
- Dental Assistants$59K
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$58K
- Medical Assistants$55K
- Physical Therapist Aides$51K
- Nursing Assistants$49K
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$48K
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides$38K
Food Preparation and Serving Related14 jobs
- Chefs and Head Cooks$62K
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$54K
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$49K
- Waiters and Waitresses$45K
- Cooks, Restaurant$44K
- Bartenders$43K
- Food Preparation Workers$42K
- Cooks, Fast Food$42K
- Fast Food and Counter Workers$42K
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$41K
- Cooks, Short Order$41K
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$40K
- Dishwashers$39K
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$38K
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry2 jobs
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Salary in Santa Cruz: questions
What is a good salary in Santa Cruz?
Half of all workers in the Santa Cruz metro earn less than $54,730 and the average is $73,140. Earning more than $82,920 puts you in the top quarter of local wages.
How much do you need to earn in Santa Cruz to match a $70,751 salary elsewhere?
About $77,752, because prices here are 10% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 109.9).
What are the highest-paying jobs in Santa Cruz?
General Internal Medicine Physicians ($350,220), Physicians, All Other ($312,910), Family Medicine Physicians ($311,700).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. Area Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA (42100), all occupations and 328 individual jobs.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Population and median household income: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2023.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.