Conservation Scientists Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Conservation Scientists in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA make a median of $78,490 a year, or about $37.73 an hour. The range runs from $53K at the entry level to $192K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $71,419 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 82.2% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $78K 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.
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level conservation scientists (10th percentile) start around $53K. Mid-career wages sit at $78K. Top earners bring in $192K or more, a $139K spread from bottom to top.
Conservation Scientists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $86K | +27% | 880 |
| California | $82K | +20% | 1,940 |
| Washington | $81K | +20% | 940 |
| Nevada | $80K | +17% | 170 |
| North Dakota | $80K | +17% | 260 |
| Connecticut | $77K | +14% | 80 |
| Utah | $77K | +14% | 300 |
| Minnesota | $77K | +14% | 690 |
| Wyoming | $77K | +13% | 170 |
| Massachusetts | $77K | +13% | 730 |
| Alabama | $76K | +12% | 110 |
| Arizona | $76K | +12% | 360 |
| Wisconsin | $76K | +12% | 1,010 |
| Alaska | $75K | +11% | 320 |
| Maryland | $75K | +11% | 610 |
| Nebraska | $75K | +10% | 220 |
| Tennessee | $75K | +10% | 200 |
| Montana | $75K | +10% | 440 |
| South Dakota | $73K | +7% | 400 |
| Arkansas | $73K | +7% | 180 |
| Illinois | $73K | +7% | 730 |
| Idaho | $73K | +7% | 290 |
| New Mexico | $72K | +7% | 390 |
| West Virginia | $68K | +1% | 140 |
| Georgia | $68K | +0% | 300 |
| New Hampshire | $68K | -0% | 150 |
| Virginia | $67K | -1% | 720 |
| New York | $66K | -4% | 750 |
| Texas | $65K | -4% | 2,070 |
| Maine | $65K | -4% | 280 |
| Iowa | $64K | -6% | 590 |
| Kentucky | $64K | -6% | 180 |
| Indiana | $63K | -7% | 430 |
| Oklahoma | $62K | -9% | 290 |
| Vermont | $62K | -9% | 120 |
| North Carolina | $62K | -9% | 570 |
| Michigan | $61K | -10% | 630 |
| Missouri | $61K | -10% | 520 |
| New Jersey | $60K | -11% | 530 |
| Ohio | $60K | -12% | 700 |
| Louisiana | $58K | -14% | 240 |
| Mississippi | $57K | -16% | 480 |
| Delaware | $56K | -18% | 60 |
| South Carolina | $54K | -20% | 320 |
| Pennsylvania | $53K | -22% | 1,410 |
| Florida | $53K | -22% | 720 |
| Hawaii | $47K | -31% | 210 |
| Kansas | $46K | -32% | 460 |
Showing 1–10 of 48 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track conservation scientists 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 conservation scientists make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $78,490 a year, that works out to about $38 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $52,690, and experienced conservation scientists can clear $191,880. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $78K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,014/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month, which eats 84% 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 conservation scientists 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 conservation scientists salary is worth about $71,419 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do conservation scientists 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.