Engineers, All Other Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
In Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, engineers, all others earn $129,480 at the median — $62.25 an hour. The range runs from $88K at the entry level to $202K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $117,816 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 55.1% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $129K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
About engineers, all others
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level engineers, all others (10th percentile) start around $88K. Mid-career wages sit at $129K.Top earners bring in $202K or more - a $114K spread from bottom to top.
Engineers, 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 | $167K | +42% | 2,640 |
| Alabama | $146K | +24% | 3,370 |
| New Mexico | $143K | +21% | 1,720 |
| Virginia | $142K | +21% | 5,980 |
| Wyoming | $139K | +18% | 190 |
| Maryland | $136K | +15% | 6,670 |
| Alaska | $132K | +12% | 280 |
| Massachusetts | $132K | +12% | 2,930 |
| New Jersey | $132K | +12% | 3,910 |
| Rhode Island | $132K | +12% | 390 |
| Idaho | $131K | +12% | 590 |
| California | $129K | +9% | 26,500 |
| Oregon | $126K | +7% | 2,540 |
| Washington | $125K | +6% | 3,150 |
| Hawaii | $120K | +2% | 920 |
Track engineers, 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 engineers, all others make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $129,480 a year - that works out to about $62.25 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $87,740, and experienced engineers, all others can clear $201,550. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $129K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,590/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 55.5% 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 engineers, 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 engineers, all other salary is worth about $117,816 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do engineers, 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.