Accountants and Auditors Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
The median pay for a accountants and auditors in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $83,070/year ($39.94/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $57K at the entry level to $132K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $75,587 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 80.8% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $83K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
About accountants and auditors
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level accountants and auditors (10th percentile) start around $57K. Mid-career wages sit at $83K.Top earners bring in $132K or more - a $74K spread from bottom to top.
Accountants and Auditors pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $103K | +26% | 9,600 |
| New York | $102K | +25% | 111,860 |
| New Jersey | $101K | +24% | 43,540 |
| Massachusetts | $97K | +18% | 45,520 |
| California | $96K | +18% | 173,370 |
| Washington | $96K | +18% | 37,400 |
| Rhode Island | $90K | +10% | 5,980 |
| Connecticut | $90K | +10% | 16,590 |
| Maryland | $85K | +4% | 25,630 |
| Delaware | $85K | +4% | 6,120 |
| Virginia | $84K | +3% | 50,220 |
| New Hampshire | $83K | +1% | 7,820 |
| Alaska | $82K | +0% | 2,440 |
| Oregon | $81K | -1% | 15,370 |
| Minnesota | $81K | -1% | 30,400 |
Track accountants and auditors salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Santa Cruz-Watsonville numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do accountants and auditors make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $83,070 a year - that works out to about $39.94 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $57,310, and experienced accountants and auditors can clear $131,750. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $83K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,247/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 80.3% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a accountants and auditors salary go in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
Santa Cruz-Watsonville has a Regional Price Parity of 109.9 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median accountants and auditors salary is worth about $75,587 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do accountants and auditors get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.