Electricians Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
In Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, electricians earn $76,940 at the median — $36.99 an hour. The range runs from $49K at the entry level to $108K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $70,009 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 83.9% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $77K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
About electricians
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level electricians (10th percentile) start around $49K. Mid-career wages sit at $77K.Top earners bring in $108K or more - a $59K spread from bottom to top.
Electricians pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $97K | +56% | 9,830 |
| Washington | $97K | +55% | 18,380 |
| Illinois | $96K | +55% | 22,880 |
| Hawaii | $83K | +33% | 3,020 |
| Massachusetts | $82K | +32% | 16,570 |
| District of Columbia | $82K | +31% | 2,130 |
| Alaska | $82K | +31% | 1,820 |
| Minnesota | $81K | +31% | 12,970 |
| New York | $77K | +24% | 40,380 |
| Connecticut | $77K | +23% | 7,570 |
| California | $77K | +23% | 73,420 |
| Wisconsin | $75K | +20% | 12,630 |
| Wyoming | $73K | +18% | 2,710 |
| New Jersey | $73K | +17% | 15,230 |
| Michigan | $73K | +17% | 24,670 |
Track electricians 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 electricians make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $76,940 a year - that works out to about $36.99 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $48,940, and experienced electricians can clear $107,750. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $77K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,935/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 85.4% 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 electricians 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 electricians salary is worth about $70,009 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do electricians 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.