How much does an environmental scientist and specialist make in Santa Cruz?
Median yearly pay for environmental scientist and specialists in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area. That is $49.81 an hour or $8,634 a month.
- Hourly
- $49.81
- Vs. national median
- +26%
- Rank among cities
- 20 of 259
- Jobs in the area
- 90
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $67,930 | $32.66 | |
| 25th | $78,500 | $37.74 | |
| Median | $103,600 | $49.81 | |
| 75th | $131,000 | $62.99 | |
| 90th | $161,900 | $77.84 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for environmental scientist and specialists.
| San Francisco, CA | $127,200 |
| Oxnard, CA | $110,300 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $109,700 |
| Sacramento, CA | $108,400 |
| Redding, CA | $106,500 |
| San Jose, CA | $106,500 |
| Yuba City, CA | $106,500 |
| San Diego, CA | $106,100 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $105,800 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $105,300 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $105,200 |
| Riverside, CA | $104,100 |
| Stockton, CA | $102,900 |
| Salinas, CA | $101,600 |
| Fresno, CA | $97,040 |
| Vallejo, CA | $95,750 |
| Chico, CA | $91,210 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $80,640 |
| Visalia, CA | $80,360 |
Related jobs in Santa Cruz
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Geoscientist | $136,100 |
| Medical Scientist | $134,100 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $112,900 |
| Urban and Regional Planner | $112,300 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $106,400 |
| Biological Scientist | $98,400 |
| Chemist | $95,840 |
| Conservation Scientist | $72,860 |
| Life | $66,290 |
| Biological Technician | $66,240 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an environmental scientist and specialist make an hour in Santa Cruz?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $49.81 ($103,600 a year).
Do environmental scientist and specialists make more in Santa Cruz than the national average?
Yes: $103,600 against $82,220 nationally, 26% more.
How does Santa Cruz compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $106,500, so Santa Cruz pays 3% less.
Where does Santa Cruz rank for environmental scientist and specialist pay?
20 of 259 metro areas with data.
How much does an environmental scientist and specialist make starting out in Santa Cruz?
The lowest-paid 10% make $67,930 or less a year; the top 10% make $161,900 or more.
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.