What is the average salary in Santa Cruz, CA?
$71,340a year
Average yearly pay across 328 jobs with official data in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area, weighted by employment. Each job below shows its median.
- Hourly
- $34.30
- Jobs with data
- 328
- Workers counted
- 91,730
Highest paying jobs
Median yearly pay.
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $431,000 |
| Physician | $305,600 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $291,900 |
| Chief Executive | $209,100 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $206,900 |
| Natural Sciences Manager | $202,400 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $198,800 |
| Electronics Engineer | $182,800 |
| Fundraising Manager | $179,100 |
| Dentist | $176,000 |
Most common jobs
Median yearly pay.
| Home Health and Personal Care Aide | $34,320 |
| Office Clerk | $41,040 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $43,400 |
| Cashier | $37,390 |
| Retail Salesperson | $38,620 |
| General and Operations Manager | $105,400 |
| Registered Nurse | $171,000 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $35,930 |
| Janitor and Cleaner | $40,780 |
| Stocker and Order Filler | $38,710 |
Management
- Administrative Services Manager$117,000
- Architectural and Engineering Manager$206,900
- Chief Executive$209,100
- Computer and Information Systems Manager$198,800
- Construction Manager$128,700
- Education Administrator$157,600
- Education Administrator$172,400
- Education Administrator$109,900
- Education and Childcare Administrator$60,210
- Entertainment and Recreation Manager$77,610
- Facilities Manager$114,700
- Financial Manager$165,800
- Food Service Manager$77,470
- Fundraising Manager$179,100
- General and Operations Manager$105,400
- Human Resources Manager$164,600
- Industrial Production Manager$133,900
- Manager$170,700
- Marketing Manager$169,000
- Medical and Health Services Manager$138,600
- Natural Sciences Manager$202,400
- Property$71,070
- Public Relations Manager$128,300
- Sales Manager$117,100
- Social and Community Service Manager$81,130
- Training and Development Manager$150,800
- Transportation$112,600
Business and financial operations
- Accountant and Auditor$84,920
- Business Operations Specialist$84,010
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent$77,250
- Claims Adjuster$95,730
- Compensation$79,480
- Compliance Officer$86,510
- Cost Estimator$80,170
- Financial and Investment Analyst$99,820
- Financial Risk Specialist$101,300
- Financial Specialist$62,720
- Fundraiser$82,310
- Human Resources Specialist$84,690
- Labor Relations Specialist$128,300
- Loan Officer$78,940
- Logistician$104,300
- Management Analyst$105,500
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist$78,880
- Meeting$67,550
- Personal Financial Advisor$122,200
- Project Management Specialist$106,800
- Tax Preparer$71,800
- Training and Development Specialist$77,400
Computer and mathematical
- Computer Network Support Specialist$103,000
- Computer Occupation$108,000
- Computer Programmer$132,900
- Computer Systems Analyst$124,500
- Computer User Support Specialist$75,720
- Data Scientist$131,000
- Database Administrator$102,500
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator$118,800
- Operations Research Analyst$104,700
- Software Developer$156,900
- Software Quality Assurance Analyst and Tester$134,000
- Web and Digital Interface Designer$114,200
- Web Developer$81,350
Architecture and engineering
- Architect$105,800
- Architectural and Civil Drafter$67,930
- Civil Engineer$118,100
- Computer Hardware Engineer$169,400
- Electrical Engineer$133,600
- Electronics Engineer$182,800
- Engineer$141,200
- Environmental Engineer$130,300
- Industrial Engineer$131,700
- Mechanical Engineer$132,900
Life, physical, and social science
- Anthropologist and Archeologist$66,040
- Biological Scientist$98,400
- Biological Technician$66,240
- Chemical Technician$57,390
- Chemist$95,840
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologist$112,900
- Conservation Scientist$72,860
- Environmental Science and Protection Technician$66,000
- Environmental Scientist and Specialist$103,600
- Forest and Conservation Technician$46,010
- Geoscientist$136,100
- Life$66,290
- Medical Scientist$134,100
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist$106,400
- Urban and Regional Planner$112,300
- Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist$122,200
Community and social service
- Child$61,960
- Clergy$61,630
- Community and Social Service Specialist$57,950
- Community Health Worker$59,470
- Counselor$48,620
- Director$56,870
- Educational$74,990
- Health Education Specialist$78,640
- Healthcare Social Worker$89,430
- Marriage and Family Therapist$70,910
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker$62,680
- Rehabilitation Counselor$48,070
- Social and Human Service Assistant$54,870
- Substance Abuse$58,790
Legal
- Lawyer$164,800
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant$64,690
Educational instruction and library
- Career/Technical Education Teacher$80,100
- Educational Instruction and Library Worker$70,570
- Elementary School Teacher$99,260
- Instructional Coordinator$99,230
- Librarian and Media Collections Specialist$91,090
- Middle School Teacher$79,490
- Museum Technician and Conservator$75,100
- Preschool Teacher$47,780
- Secondary School Teacher$98,810
- Self-Enrichment Teacher$49,120
- Special Education Teacher$101,100
- Special Education Teacher$75,710
- Substitute Teacher$59,900
- Teacher and Instructor$101,100
- Teaching Assistant$47,430
- Tutor$42,290
Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media
- Art Director$126,400
- Audio and Video Technician$56,790
- Coach and Scout$48,380
- Editor$77,890
- Graphic Designer$64,510
- Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer$44,260
- Producer and Director$77,530
- Public Relations Specialist$83,180
Healthcare practitioners and technical
- Acupuncturist$91,350
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician$83,100
- Dental Hygienist$130,600
- Dentist$176,000
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer$142,200
- Dietitian and Nutritionist$103,800
- Emergency Medical Technician$51,970
- Family Medicine Physician$291,900
- General Internal Medicine Physician$431,000
- Health Technologist and Technician$60,510
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse$81,000
- Medical Records Specialist$60,580
- Nurse Practitioner$167,200
- Occupational Therapist$130,400
- Optician$55,950
- Optometrist$122,200
- Paramedic$71,390
- Pharmacist$161,900
- Pharmacy Technician$50,100
- Physical Therapist$124,800
- Physician$305,600
- Physician Assistant$159,000
- Psychiatric Technician$43,710
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician$129,900
- Registered Nurse$171,000
- Respiratory Therapist$134,900
- Speech-Language Pathologist$118,700
- Surgical Technologist$100,100
- Veterinarian$164,800
- Veterinary Technologist and Technician$62,810
Healthcare support
- Dental Assistant$58,580
- Healthcare Support Worker$50,870
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide$34,320
- Massage Therapist$58,050
- Medical Assistant$50,090
- Medical Equipment Preparer$81,370
- Nursing Assistant$47,940
- Phlebotomist$59,800
- Physical Therapist Aide$39,210
- Physical Therapist Assistant$87,330
- Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker$47,150
Protective service
- Correctional Officer and Jailer$80,950
- Detective and Criminal Investigator$102,700
- Firefighter$64,980
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Worker$111,600
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detective$172,600
- Lifeguard$39,970
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer$123,000
- Security Guard$43,610
Food preparation and serving
- Bartender$36,100
- Chef and Head Cook$59,190
- Cook$43,630
- Cook$46,850
- Cook$44,560
- Cook$39,140
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper$35,640
- Dishwasher$37,380
- Fast Food and Counter Worker$43,400
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker$48,220
- Food Preparation Worker$39,110
- Food Server$37,860
- Host and Hostess$36,050
- Waiter and Waitress$35,930
Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance
Personal care and service
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant$37,150
- Animal Caretaker$39,870
- Childcare Worker$38,050
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor$60,580
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Worker$53,810
- First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Worker$60,080
- Hairdresser$37,380
- Personal Care and Service Worker$42,110
- Recreation Worker$38,340
- Residential Advisor$46,440
- Skincare Specialist$39,120
- Tour and Travel Guide$44,270
- Usher$35,860
Sales and related
- Cashier$37,390
- Counter and Rental Clerk$41,600
- Demonstrator and Product Promoter$43,480
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Worker$78,590
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Worker$52,240
- Insurance Sales Agent$63,300
- Parts Salesperson$44,870
- Real Estate Sales Agent$51,530
- Retail Salesperson$38,620
- Sale and Related Worker$61,920
- Sales Representative$131,500
- Sales Representative$75,310
- Sales Representatives of Service$65,600
- Security$74,380
Office and administrative support
- Bill and Account Collector$60,390
- Billing and Posting Clerk$58,400
- Bookkeeping$61,960
- Court$60,570
- Customer Service Representative$48,110
- Data Entry Keyer$44,980
- Dispatcher$57,100
- Eligibility Interviewer$66,940
- Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant$84,090
- File Clerk$60,530
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Worker$77,410
- Hotel$38,200
- Human Resources Assistant$61,600
- Information and Record Clerk$58,740
- Insurance Claim and Policy Processing Clerk$57,840
- Interviewer$63,690
- Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant$77,780
- Library Assistant$51,410
- Loan Interviewer and Clerk$61,350
- Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant$50,230
- Office and Administrative Support Worker$72,830
- Office Clerk$41,040
- Order Clerk$44,420
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk$68,380
- Postal Service Clerk$60,740
- Postal Service Mail Carrier$62,070
- Procurement Clerk$55,920
- Production$67,530
- Public Safety Telecommunicator$85,950
- Receptionist and Information Clerk$44,980
- Secretary and Administrative Assistant$57,510
- Shipping$48,340
- Teller$46,370
- Weigher$45,950
Farming, fishing, and forestry
- Farmworker and Laborer$36,450
- First-Line Supervisors of Farming$44,910
Construction and extraction
- Carpenter$77,690
- Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher$60,210
- Construction and Building Inspector$98,680
- Construction Laborer$58,500
- Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer$74,740
- Electrician$76,610
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trade and Extraction Worker$87,180
- Glazier$58,970
- Helpers--Carpenter$59,090
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator$75,640
- Painter$62,400
- Plasterer and Stucco Mason$68,210
- Plumber$68,130
- Roofer$61,640
- Solar Photovoltaic Installer$69,550
- Stonemason$59,620
- Tile and Stone Setter$59,770
Installation, maintenance, and repair
- Automotive Body and Related Repairer$62,610
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic$58,860
- Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist$75,670
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanic$80,820
- Heating$78,330
- Helpers--Installation$48,000
- Industrial Machinery Mechanic$70,790
- Installation$50,330
- Maintenance and Repair Worker$50,000
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanic$75,270
- Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installer$66,080
- Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer$83,030
- Tire Repairer and Changer$41,290
Production
- Baker$42,920
- Butcher and Meat Cutter$44,260
- Cabinetmaker and Bench Carpenter$49,340
- Coating$61,260
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$59,280
- Electrical$49,280
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Worker$74,690
- Food Batchmaker$39,090
- Helpers--Production Worker$39,700
- Inspector$51,210
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker$37,910
- Machinist$51,420
- Meat$37,550
- Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator$47,560
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operator and Tender$43,610
- Printing Press Operator$43,480
- Production Worker$46,340
- Sawing Machine Setter$54,340
- Separating$55,560
- Sewing Machine Operator$44,350
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator$94,060
- Welder$50,840
Transportation and material moving
- Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendant$40,240
- Bus Driver$59,100
- Bus Driver$57,780
- Cleaners of Vehicle and Equipment$37,360
- Driver/Sales Worker$41,600
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Worker$59,880
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver$59,500
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator$46,530
- Laborer and Freight$44,050
- Light Truck Driver$48,740
- Material Moving Worker$35,960
- Packer and Packager$36,510
- Parking Attendant$37,770
- Shuttle Driver and Chauffeur$39,210
- Stocker and Order Filler$38,710
Frequently asked questions
What is the average salary in Santa Cruz, CA?
About $71,340 a year ($34.30 an hour): the average of the 328 jobs with official data, weighted by how many people do each one.
What are the highest paying jobs in Santa Cruz, CA?
General Internal Medicine Physician ($431,000), Physician ($305,600), Family Medicine Physician ($291,900).
What are the most common jobs in Santa Cruz, CA?
Home Health and Personal Care Aide (4,470 jobs), Office Clerk (3,360 jobs), Fast Food and Counter Worker (3,220 jobs).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.