Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
The median pay for a automotive and watercraft service attendants in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $40,560/year ($19.5/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $36K at the entry level to $48K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $36,906 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 150.5% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $41K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
About automotive and watercraft service attendants
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level automotive and watercraft service attendants (10th percentile) start around $36K. Mid-career wages sit at $41K.Top earners bring in $48K or more - a $12K spread from bottom to top.
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $43K | +22% | 240 |
| Rhode Island | $42K | +19% | 140 |
| California | $40K | +14% | 9,470 |
| Missouri | $39K | +12% | 620 |
| Washington | $39K | +12% | 2,620 |
| Connecticut | $38K | +10% | 580 |
| New Hampshire | $38K | +9% | 270 |
| Vermont | $38K | +9% | 280 |
| Alaska | $38K | +9% | 400 |
| Montana | $38K | +9% | 580 |
| New York | $38K | +9% | 3,270 |
| Minnesota | $37K | +7% | 860 |
| North Dakota | $37K | +6% | 410 |
| Idaho | $37K | +6% | 170 |
| Massachusetts | $37K | +5% | 1,830 |
Track automotive and watercraft service attendants 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 automotive and watercraft service attendants make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $40,560 a year - that works out to about $19.5 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $36,290, and experienced automotive and watercraft service attendants can clear $48,210. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $41K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,819/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 149.5% 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 automotive and watercraft service attendants 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 automotive and watercraft service attendants salary is worth about $36,906 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do automotive and watercraft service attendants 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.