Firefighters Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Firefighters in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA make a median of $74,130 a year, or about $35.64 an hour. The range runs from $46K at the entry level to $129K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $67,452 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 87.1% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $74K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
About firefighters
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level firefighters (10th percentile) start around $46K. Mid-career wages sit at $74K.Top earners bring in $129K or more - a $83K spread from bottom to top.
Firefighters pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $93K | +57% | 8,000 |
| New York | $88K | +48% | 14,730 |
| New Jersey | $88K | +47% | 6,590 |
| California | $83K | +40% | 27,580 |
| District of Columbia | $79K | +33% | 1,430 |
| Illinois | $79K | +33% | 14,510 |
| Connecticut | $78K | +30% | 2,860 |
| Oregon | $73K | +23% | 3,660 |
| Massachusetts | $73K | +23% | 11,910 |
| Pennsylvania | $71K | +20% | N/A |
| Maryland | $71K | +19% | 5,250 |
| Rhode Island | $69K | +17% | 1,590 |
| Nevada | $67K | +13% | 2,360 |
| Montana | $64K | +8% | 960 |
| Alaska | $63K | +6% | 1,040 |
Track firefighters 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 firefighters make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $74,130 a year - that works out to about $35.64 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,260, and experienced firefighters can clear $129,370. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $74K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,792/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 87.9% 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 firefighters 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 firefighters salary is worth about $67,452 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do firefighters 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.