Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
The median pay for a automotive service technicians and mechanics in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $66,170/year ($31.81/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $37K at the entry level to $84K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $60,209 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 97.5% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $66K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
About automotive service technicians and mechanics
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level automotive service technicians and mechanics (10th percentile) start around $37K. Mid-career wages sit at $66K.Top earners bring in $84K or more - a $47K spread from bottom to top.
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $71K | +43% | 270 |
| California | $63K | +28% | 62,110 |
| Alaska | $62K | +25% | 1,390 |
| New Hampshire | $58K | +18% | 4,510 |
| Washington | $58K | +16% | 13,740 |
| Maryland | $58K | +16% | 14,310 |
| Massachusetts | $57K | +16% | 12,390 |
| Minnesota | $57K | +16% | 13,500 |
| New Jersey | $57K | +15% | 16,820 |
| Montana | $57K | +15% | 2,720 |
| Oregon | $57K | +14% | 6,900 |
| Virginia | $56K | +13% | 17,740 |
| Connecticut | $56K | +13% | 6,630 |
| New York | $52K | +4% | 31,790 |
| North Dakota | $51K | +3% | 1,850 |
Track automotive service technicians and mechanics 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 service technicians and mechanics make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $66,170 a year - that works out to about $31.81 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $37,060, and experienced automotive service technicians and mechanics can clear $83,650. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $66K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,379/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 96.2% 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 service technicians and mechanics 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 service technicians and mechanics salary is worth about $60,209 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do automotive service technicians and mechanics 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.