Biological Technicians Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
In Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, biological technicians earn $59,200 at the median — $28.46 an hour. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $90K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $53,867 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 109% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $59K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
About biological technicians
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level biological technicians (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $59K.Top earners bring in $90K or more - a $45K spread from bottom to top.
Biological Technicians pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $65K | +25% | 8,610 |
| Connecticut | $65K | +25% | 700 |
| California | $64K | +23% | 10,680 |
| New Jersey | $63K | +22% | 1,610 |
| New York | $59K | +13% | 5,040 |
| Tennessee | $59K | +13% | 1,380 |
| District of Columbia | $56K | +8% | 200 |
| Delaware | $56K | +7% | 160 |
| Alaska | $54K | +4% | 510 |
| Louisiana | $54K | +3% | 170 |
| Washington | $53K | +1% | 4,140 |
| New Hampshire | $52K | -0% | 360 |
| Arizona | $52K | -0% | 870 |
| Iowa | $51K | -1% | 820 |
| Utah | $51K | -3% | 870 |
Track biological technicians 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 biological technicians make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $59,200 a year - that works out to about $28.46 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $45,330, and experienced biological technicians can clear $89,920. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $59K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,980/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 105.9% 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 biological technicians 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 biological technicians salary is worth about $53,867 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do biological technicians 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.