How much does a secondary school teacher make in Santa Cruz?
$98,810a year
Median yearly pay for secondary school teachers in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area. That is $47.50 an hour or $8,234 a month.
- Hourly
- $47.50
- Vs. national median
- +37%
- Rank among cities
- 38 of 375
- Jobs in the area
- 560
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $63,010Median: $98,810Highest 10%: $129,100
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $63,010 | $30.29 | |
| 25th | $78,500 | $37.74 | |
| Median | $98,810 | $47.50 | |
| 75th | $108,700 | $52.25 | |
| 90th | $129,100 | $62.07 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for secondary school teachers.
| Oxnard, CA | $108,900 |
| San Jose, CA | $108,200 |
| Sacramento, CA | $105,100 |
| San Francisco, CA | $102,900 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $102,800 |
| San Diego, CA | $102,800 |
| Vallejo, CA | $102,600 |
| Napa, CA | $102,500 |
| Hanford, CA | $102,000 |
| Modesto, CA | $101,900 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $101,700 |
| Salinas, CA | $101,600 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $101,000 |
| Fresno, CA | $100,800 |
| Stockton, CA | $100,600 |
| Yuba City, CA | $100,200 |
| Riverside, CA | $100,100 |
| Merced, CA | $99,600 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $99,560 |
| El Centro, CA | $99,440 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $99,150 |
| Chico, CA | $98,210 |
| Visalia, CA | $97,610 |
Related jobs in Santa Cruz
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Special Education Teacher | $101,100 |
| Teacher and Instructor | $101,100 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $99,260 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $99,230 |
| Career/Technical Education Teacher | $80,100 |
| Middle School Teacher | $79,490 |
| Special Education Teacher | $75,710 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Worker | $70,570 |
| Substitute Teacher | $59,900 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $49,120 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a secondary school teacher make an hour in Santa Cruz?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $47.50 ($98,810 a year).
Do secondary school teachers make more in Santa Cruz than the national average?
Yes: $98,810 against $72,040 nationally, 37% more.
How does Santa Cruz compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $101,400, so Santa Cruz pays 3% less.
Where does Santa Cruz rank for secondary school teacher pay?
38 of 375 metro areas with data.
How much does a secondary school teacher make starting out in Santa Cruz?
The lowest-paid 10% make $63,010 or less a year; the top 10% make $129,100 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.