Computer Programmers Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Computer Programmers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA make a median of $108,330 a year, or about $52.08 an hour. The range runs from $80K at the entry level to $167K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $98,571 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 63.2% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $108K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Santa Cruz-Watsonville’s Regional Price Parity (109.9). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About computer programmers
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level computer programmers (10th percentile) start around $80K. Mid-career wages sit at $108K. Top earners bring in $167K or more, a $86K spread from bottom to top.
Computer Programmers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $159K | +61% | 3,220 |
| Montana | $129K | +30% | 450 |
| Oregon | $127K | +29% | 1,180 |
| California | $116K | +18% | 14,720 |
| Massachusetts | $115K | +17% | 3,040 |
| Virginia | $112K | +13% | 4,210 |
| Wisconsin | $110K | +11% | 3,020 |
| Minnesota | $108K | +10% | 1,960 |
| Hawaii | $108K | +9% | N/A |
| Wyoming | $105K | +7% | 60 |
| Kentucky | $105K | +6% | 1,640 |
| Maine | $103K | +4% | 420 |
| Maryland | $103K | +4% | 2,360 |
| New Jersey | $103K | +4% | 4,000 |
| Oklahoma | $101K | +2% | 1,420 |
| Delaware | $101K | +2% | 370 |
| Arkansas | $101K | +2% | 1,140 |
| South Carolina | $101K | +2% | 880 |
| Connecticut | $101K | +2% | 1,460 |
| New York | $100K | +2% | 7,090 |
| Ohio | $100K | +1% | 2,030 |
| Tennessee | $99K | +1% | 1,300 |
| Florida | $99K | -0% | 4,700 |
| Georgia | $98K | -1% | 2,330 |
| North Carolina | $96K | -3% | 3,880 |
| Rhode Island | $95K | -4% | 360 |
| Nebraska | $94K | -5% | 1,390 |
| Missouri | $94K | -5% | 1,410 |
| Nevada | $93K | -6% | 420 |
| Kansas | $92K | -7% | 600 |
| Alaska | $89K | -10% | 520 |
| North Dakota | $89K | -10% | 230 |
| Utah | $88K | -10% | 1,200 |
| Alabama | $87K | -12% | 1,360 |
| Pennsylvania | $85K | -14% | 4,130 |
| Iowa | $85K | -14% | 1,020 |
| Louisiana | $84K | -15% | 1,640 |
| New Mexico | $84K | -15% | 490 |
| Indiana | $84K | -15% | 2,120 |
| Illinois | $83K | -15% | 1,470 |
| District of Columbia | $83K | -16% | 1,000 |
| New Hampshire | $81K | -18% | 590 |
| Texas | $81K | -18% | 11,220 |
| Idaho | $80K | -19% | 170 |
| Vermont | $78K | -21% | 150 |
| Arizona | $72K | -27% | 4,170 |
| Michigan | $69K | -30% | 5,350 |
| West Virginia | $65K | -34% | 190 |
| Mississippi | $65K | -34% | 600 |
| South Dakota | $57K | -43% | 70 |
Showing 1–10 of 50 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track computer programmers 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 computer programmers make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $108,330 a year, that works out to about $52 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $80,060, and experienced computer programmers can clear $166,520. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $108K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,532/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month, which eats 64.5% 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 computer programmers 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 computer programmers salary is worth about $98,571 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do computer programmers 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.