How much does an inspector make in Santa Cruz?
$51,210a year
Median yearly pay for inspectors in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area. That is $24.62 an hour or $4,268 a month.
- Hourly
- $24.62
- Vs. national median
- +5%
- Rank among cities
- 121 of 388
- Jobs in the area
- 260
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $40,850Median: $51,210Highest 10%: $91,780
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40,850 | $19.64 | |
| 25th | $46,850 | $22.52 | |
| Median | $51,210 | $24.62 | |
| 75th | $70,010 | $33.66 | |
| 90th | $91,780 | $44.13 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for inspectors.
| Hanford, CA | $62,480 |
| San Francisco, CA | $62,340 |
| San Jose, CA | $60,610 |
| San Diego, CA | $59,550 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $57,840 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $56,890 |
| Vallejo, CA | $55,700 |
| Sacramento, CA | $54,450 |
| Modesto, CA | $53,560 |
| Redding, CA | $51,690 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $51,560 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $51,520 |
| Oxnard, CA | $51,240 |
| Merced, CA | $49,940 |
| Yuba City, CA | $49,600 |
| Napa, CA | $49,400 |
| Stockton, CA | $48,020 |
| Riverside, CA | $47,140 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $46,710 |
| El Centro, CA | $46,130 |
| Visalia, CA | $46,030 |
| Chico, CA | $44,680 |
| Fresno, CA | $44,550 |
| Salinas, CA | $44,500 |
Related jobs in Santa Cruz
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator | $94,060 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Worker | $74,690 |
| Coating | $61,260 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $59,280 |
| Separating | $55,560 |
| Machinist | $51,420 |
| Welder | $50,840 |
| Cabinetmaker and Bench Carpenter | $49,340 |
| Electrical | $49,280 |
| Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator | $47,560 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an inspector make an hour in Santa Cruz?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $24.62 ($51,210 a year).
Do inspectors make more in Santa Cruz than the national average?
Yes: $51,210 against $48,570 nationally, 5% more.
How does Santa Cruz compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $54,300, so Santa Cruz pays 6% less.
Where does Santa Cruz rank for inspector pay?
121 of 388 metro areas with data.
How much does an inspector make starting out in Santa Cruz?
The lowest-paid 10% make $40,850 or less a year; the top 10% make $91,780 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.