Electrical Engineers Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
In Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, electrical engineers earn $127,050 at the median — $61.08 an hour. The range runs from $81K at the entry level to $179K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $115,605 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 56.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $127K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
About electrical engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level electrical engineers (10th percentile) start around $81K. Mid-career wages sit at $127K.Top earners bring in $179K or more - a $97K spread from bottom to top.
Electrical Engineers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | $144K | +29% | 1,580 |
| California | $140K | +25% | 23,650 |
| District of Columbia | $139K | +24% | 520 |
| New Hampshire | $132K | +18% | 1,420 |
| Washington | $131K | +17% | 10,010 |
| Idaho | $129K | +15% | 920 |
| Massachusetts | $126K | +13% | 4,780 |
| New Jersey | $125K | +12% | 3,620 |
| Maryland | $124K | +11% | 4,380 |
| Virginia | $122K | +9% | 5,990 |
| Vermont | $118K | +5% | 910 |
| Alabama | $116K | +4% | 4,470 |
| New York | $113K | +1% | 7,720 |
| Wyoming | $112K | -0% | 260 |
| Delaware | $112K | -0% | 600 |
Track electrical engineers 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 electrical engineers make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $127,050 a year - that works out to about $61.08 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $81,250, and experienced electrical engineers can clear $178,590. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $127K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,470/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 56.4% 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 electrical engineers 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 electrical engineers salary is worth about $115,605 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do electrical engineers 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.