How much does a geoscientist make in Santa Cruz?
$136,100a year
Median yearly pay for geoscientists in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area. That is $65.44 an hour or $11,340 a month.
- Hourly
- $65.44
- Vs. national median
- +34%
- Rank among cities
- 6 of 105
- Jobs in the area
- 50
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $98,590Median: $136,100Highest 10%: $195,200
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $98,590 | $47.40 | |
| 25th | $114,500 | $55.03 | |
| Median | $136,100 | $65.44 | |
| 75th | $171,300 | $82.33 | |
| 90th | $195,200 | $93.84 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for geoscientists.
| San Jose, CA | $136,100 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $132,800 |
| San Francisco, CA | $122,300 |
| Sacramento, CA | $120,000 |
| Fresno, CA | $117,400 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $117,400 |
| Oxnard, CA | $111,800 |
| San Diego, CA | $104,800 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $94,660 |
| Riverside, CA | $90,270 |
Related jobs in Santa Cruz
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Medical Scientist | $134,100 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $112,900 |
| Urban and Regional Planner | $112,300 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $106,400 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist | $103,600 |
| Biological Scientist | $98,400 |
| Chemist | $95,840 |
| Conservation Scientist | $72,860 |
| Life | $66,290 |
| Biological Technician | $66,240 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a geoscientist make an hour in Santa Cruz?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $65.44 ($136,100 a year).
Do geoscientists make more in Santa Cruz than the national average?
Yes: $136,100 against $101,900 nationally, 34% more.
How does Santa Cruz compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $106,500, so Santa Cruz pays 28% more.
Where does Santa Cruz rank for geoscientist pay?
6 of 105 metro areas with data.
How much does a geoscientist make starting out in Santa Cruz?
The lowest-paid 10% make $98,590 or less a year; the top 10% make $195,200 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.