Electronics Engineers, Except Computer Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
In Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, electronics engineers, except computers earn $195,970 at the median — $94.22 an hour. Entry-level workers start around $79K. (BLS did not publish a top-end figure for this area.) Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $178,317 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 37.7% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $196K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
About electronics engineers, except computers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level electronics engineers, except computers (10th percentile) start around $79K. Mid-career wages sit at $196K.BLS did not publish 90th percentile data for this occupation in this area (sample size too small).
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $162K | +27% | 400 |
| New Jersey | $156K | +22% | 1,950 |
| California | $155K | +21% | 19,560 |
| Maryland | $145K | +14% | 3,850 |
| Washington | $137K | +7% | 2,270 |
| Arizona | $135K | +6% | 2,360 |
| Maine | $134K | +5% | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $134K | +5% | 5,580 |
| Rhode Island | $132K | +4% | 930 |
| Oregon | $130K | +2% | 1,170 |
| Texas | $127K | -1% | 9,070 |
| Georgia | $126K | -2% | 2,740 |
| Hawaii | $124K | -3% | 310 |
| South Carolina | $123K | -3% | 890 |
| New Mexico | $122K | -5% | 980 |
Track electronics engineers, except computer 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 electronics engineers, except computers make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $195,970 a year - that works out to about $94.22 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $78,820. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $196K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $10,964/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 38.4% 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 electronics engineers, except computer 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 electronics engineers, except computer salary is worth about $178,317 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do electronics engineers, except computers 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.