How much does a nursing assistant make in Santa Cruz?
$47,940a year
Median yearly pay for nursing assistants in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area. That is $23.05 an hour or $3,995 a month.
- Hourly
- $23.05
- Vs. national median
- +13%
- Rank among cities
- 32 of 385
- Jobs in the area
- 440
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $39,110Median: $47,940Highest 10%: $57,720
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,110 | $18.80 | |
| 25th | $47,100 | $22.64 | |
| Median | $47,940 | $23.05 | |
| 75th | $50,740 | $24.39 | |
| 90th | $57,720 | $27.75 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for nursing assistants.
| San Jose, CA | $56,840 |
| San Francisco, CA | $56,080 |
| Napa, CA | $50,370 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $49,240 |
| Vallejo, CA | $48,900 |
| Salinas, CA | $48,870 |
| San Diego, CA | $48,070 |
| Sacramento, CA | $47,510 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $47,380 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $47,130 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $46,840 |
| Visalia, CA | $46,810 |
| Oxnard, CA | $46,800 |
| Modesto, CA | $46,550 |
| Stockton, CA | $46,530 |
| Riverside, CA | $46,430 |
| Chico, CA | $46,380 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $46,130 |
| Yuba City, CA | $46,130 |
| Hanford, CA | $45,980 |
| Redding, CA | $44,880 |
| Merced, CA | $44,730 |
| Fresno, CA | $44,710 |
| El Centro, CA | $44,670 |
Related jobs in Santa Cruz
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $87,330 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $81,370 |
| Phlebotomist | $59,800 |
| Dental Assistant | $58,580 |
| Massage Therapist | $58,050 |
| Healthcare Support Worker | $50,870 |
| Medical Assistant | $50,090 |
| Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker | $47,150 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $39,210 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aide | $34,320 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make an hour in Santa Cruz?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $23.05 ($47,940 a year).
Do nursing assistants make more in Santa Cruz than the national average?
Yes: $47,940 against $42,260 nationally, 13% more.
How does Santa Cruz compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $47,630, so Santa Cruz pays 1% more.
Where does Santa Cruz rank for nursing assistant pay?
32 of 385 metro areas with data.
How much does a nursing assistant make starting out in Santa Cruz?
The lowest-paid 10% make $39,110 or less a year; the top 10% make $57,720 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.