How much does a life make in Santa Cruz?
$66,290a year
Median yearly pay for lifes in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area. That is $31.87 an hour or $5,524 a month.
- Hourly
- $31.87
- Vs. national median
- +6%
- Rank among cities
- 36 of 182
- Jobs in the area
- 50
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $55,530Median: $66,290Highest 10%: $109,400
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $55,530 | $26.70 | |
| 25th | $64,520 | $31.02 | |
| Median | $66,290 | $31.87 | |
| 75th | $83,850 | $40.31 | |
| 90th | $109,400 | $52.60 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for lifes.
| Bakersfield, CA | $87,180 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $86,450 |
| San Jose, CA | $83,160 |
| Vallejo, CA | $79,180 |
| San Francisco, CA | $77,670 |
| Riverside, CA | $76,630 |
| San Diego, CA | $75,970 |
| Oxnard, CA | $74,100 |
| Sacramento, CA | $64,240 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $62,510 |
| Fresno, CA | $57,310 |
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 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist | $103,600 |
| Biological Scientist | $98,400 |
| Chemist | $95,840 |
| Conservation Scientist | $72,860 |
| Biological Technician | $66,240 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a life make an hour in Santa Cruz?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $31.87 ($66,290 a year).
Do lifes make more in Santa Cruz than the national average?
Yes: $66,290 against $62,280 nationally, 6% more.
How does Santa Cruz compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $78,350, so Santa Cruz pays 15% less.
Where does Santa Cruz rank for life pay?
36 of 182 metro areas with data.
How much does a life make starting out in Santa Cruz?
The lowest-paid 10% make $55,530 or less a year; the top 10% make $109,400 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.