Acupuncturists Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
The median pay for a acupuncturists in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $128,940/year ($61.99/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $169K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $117,325 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 55.4% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $129K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
About acupuncturists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level acupuncturists (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $129K.Top earners bring in $169K or more - a $122K spread from bottom to top.
Acupuncturists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | $184K | +135% | N/A |
| Michigan | $153K | +96% | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $135K | +73% | 90 |
| Minnesota | $125K | +60% | 180 |
| District of Columbia | $97K | +24% | N/A |
| New York | $94K | +20% | N/A |
| Arizona | $88K | +12% | N/A |
| New Jersey | $87K | +11% | 360 |
| New Mexico | $83K | +7% | N/A |
| New Hampshire | $83K | +6% | N/A |
| Kentucky | $82K | +5% | N/A |
| Texas | $82K | +5% | N/A |
| Alaska | $82K | +5% | 40 |
| Missouri | $80K | +3% | 140 |
| Maryland | $78K | -0% | N/A |
Track acupuncturists 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 acupuncturists make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $128,940 a year - that works out to about $61.99 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,250, and experienced acupuncturists can clear $169,290. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $129K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,563/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 55.7% 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 acupuncturists 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 acupuncturists salary is worth about $117,325 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do acupuncturists 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.