SOC 17-2072 · Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

The average salary for electronics engineers (except computer) in Santa Cruz, California is $178,240 a year ($85.69 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $182,840: half of the 30 people in this job in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 27% more than the U.S. metro average for this job ($140,172).

$178,240average per year

$85.69 / hourMedian $182,840Take-home ≈ $120,609

  • $92K10th
  • $127K25th
  • $183KMedian
  • $204K75th
  • $307K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers

30people in this job
+27%vs U.S. metro average
#2 of 15California metros
110cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Electronics Engineers, Except Computer pay range in Santa Cruz

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $91,950 a year or less, while the top 10% make $307,330 or more. The middle half of electronics engineers (except computer) in Santa Cruz earn between $126,930 and $204,230.

  • $92K10th
  • $127K25th
  • $183KMedian
  • $204K75th
  • $307K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$178,240$14,853$85.69
Median$182,840$15,237$87.90
Entry level (25th percentile)$126,930$10,578$61.02
Experienced (75th percentile)$204,230$17,019$98.19

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year.

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer salary after taxes in Santa Cruz

On the average salary of $178,240, a single filer in Santa Cruz takes home about $120,609 a year, or $10,051 a month and $4,639 every two weeks. Taxes take 32% of gross 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.

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Is Santa Cruz a good place for electronics engineers (except computer)? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Santa Cruz area are 10% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 109.9), so the average $178,240 buys what about $162,190 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 3.3 times the median wage of all jobs in Santa Cruz ($54,730). A typical home costs $1,157,157, or 6.5 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $178,240 is worth in another city

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer salary in other California cities

Santa Cruz ranks 2nd of 15 California metro areas for this job; San Jose pays the most ($187,710).

All Electronics Engineers, Except Computer salaries in California

Highest-paying cities for electronics engineers (except computer)

San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($187,710).

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer salary by city

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Reviewed before it counts. Electronics Engineers, Except Computer in Santa Cruz, CA.

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer salary in Santa Cruz: questions

How much do electronics engineers (except computer) make an hour in Santa Cruz?

$85.69 an hour on average, and $87.90 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level electronics engineers (except computer) salary in Santa Cruz?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $91,950 a year and the 25th percentile is $126,930, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the electronics engineers (except computer) take-home pay in Santa Cruz?

About $120,609 a year ($10,051 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $178,240. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.

Do electronics engineers (except computer) earn more in Santa Cruz than elsewhere?

The average here is 27% more than the U.S. metro average for this job ($140,172).

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. SOC code 17-2072; area Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA (42100). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 5.2%.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • 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.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 0.53, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.53).

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