Industrial Machinery Mechanics Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Industrial Machinery Mechanics in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA make a median of $70,150 a year, or about $33.72 an hour. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $84K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $63,831 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 92% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $70K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
About industrial machinery mechanics
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level industrial machinery mechanics (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $70K.Top earners bring in $84K or more - a $36K spread from bottom to top.
Industrial Machinery Mechanics pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $87K | +36% | 660 |
| District of Columbia | $85K | +34% | 190 |
| Hawaii | $80K | +26% | 760 |
| Nevada | $75K | +18% | 2,460 |
| Washington | $75K | +18% | 10,300 |
| Wyoming | $75K | +17% | 2,290 |
| California | $74K | +16% | 25,790 |
| Connecticut | $74K | +15% | 2,980 |
| New Jersey | $73K | +14% | 9,110 |
| Oregon | $71K | +12% | 6,490 |
| Massachusetts | $71K | +11% | 6,290 |
| Kansas | $70K | +10% | 6,570 |
| Montana | $70K | +10% | 890 |
| Utah | $70K | +9% | 3,920 |
| Minnesota | $68K | +7% | 6,650 |
Track industrial machinery mechanics salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Santa Cruz-Watsonville numbers change.
Related careers in Repair & Maintenance
Frequently asked questions
How much do industrial machinery mechanics make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $70,150 a year - that works out to about $33.72 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $48,310, and experienced industrial machinery mechanics can clear $84,190. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $70K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,586/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 91.9% 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 industrial machinery mechanics 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 industrial machinery mechanics salary is worth about $63,831 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do industrial machinery mechanics 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.