Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
In Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all others earn $96,980 at the median — $46.63 an hour. The range runs from $58K at the entry level to $117K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $88,244 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 69.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $97K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
About engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all others
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all others (10th percentile) start around $58K. Mid-career wages sit at $97K.Top earners bring in $117K or more - a $59K spread from bottom to top.
Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $109K | +41% | 310 |
| New Mexico | $107K | +39% | N/A |
| Maryland | $105K | +35% | 2,680 |
| Maine | $102K | +31% | 910 |
| Rhode Island | $98K | +27% | 250 |
| Washington | $96K | +24% | 2,310 |
| Virginia | $96K | +24% | 3,810 |
| Hawaii | $90K | +17% | 390 |
| Nevada | $89K | +15% | 570 |
| California | $83K | +8% | 7,840 |
| Connecticut | $83K | +7% | 630 |
| New Jersey | $82K | +5% | 1,060 |
| Alabama | $81K | +5% | 540 |
| Indiana | $81K | +4% | 660 |
| Wyoming | $80K | +3% | 140 |
Track engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Santa Cruz-Watsonville numbers change.
Related careers in Engineering
Frequently asked questions
How much do engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all others make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $96,980 a year - that works out to about $46.63 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $58,240, and experienced engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all others can clear $116,800. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $97K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,955/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 70.8% 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 engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other 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 engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other salary is worth about $88,244 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all others 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.