First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA make a median of $158,430 a year, or about $76.17 an hour. The range runs from $113K at the entry level to $199K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $144,158 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 45.1% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $158K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
About first-line supervisors of police and detectives
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level first-line supervisors of police and detectives (10th percentile) start around $113K. Mid-career wages sit at $158K.Top earners bring in $199K or more - a $85K spread from bottom to top.
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $163K | +54% | 12,980 |
| New Jersey | $144K | +36% | 7,420 |
| Illinois | $136K | +29% | 5,550 |
| District of Columbia | $135K | +27% | 1,250 |
| Washington | $134K | +27% | 2,570 |
| Nevada | $134K | +26% | 1,270 |
| Alaska | $132K | +25% | 330 |
| Hawaii | $129K | +22% | 690 |
| Oregon | $124K | +17% | 1,350 |
| New York | $123K | +16% | 12,470 |
| Delaware | $120K | +13% | 400 |
| Maryland | $119K | +13% | 7,550 |
| Connecticut | $110K | +4% | 2,130 |
| Texas | $110K | +4% | 5,810 |
| Utah | $110K | +4% | 1,290 |
Track first-line supervisors of police and detectives salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Santa Cruz-Watsonville numbers change.
Related careers in Public Safety
Frequently asked questions
How much do first-line supervisors of police and detectives make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $158,430 a year - that works out to about $76.17 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $113,290, and experienced first-line supervisors of police and detectives can clear $198,570. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $158K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,014/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 46.7% 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 first-line supervisors of police and detectives 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 first-line supervisors of police and detectives salary is worth about $144,158 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do first-line supervisors of police and detectives 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.