Medical Equipment Preparers Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
The median pay for a medical equipment preparers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $79,820/year ($38.37/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $94K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $72,630 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 80.9% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $80K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
About medical equipment preparers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level medical equipment preparers (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $80K.Top earners bring in $94K or more - a $56K spread from bottom to top.
Medical Equipment Preparers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $63K | +35% | 8,630 |
| District of Columbia | $54K | +17% | 220 |
| Delaware | $52K | +12% | 250 |
| Rhode Island | $52K | +12% | 200 |
| New York | $52K | +12% | 5,340 |
| Massachusetts | $52K | +11% | 1,670 |
| Hawaii | $51K | +11% | 330 |
| Washington | $51K | +10% | 1,680 |
| New Jersey | $49K | +6% | 2,230 |
| Oregon | $49K | +6% | 1,690 |
| Minnesota | $49K | +4% | 1,260 |
| Alaska | $48K | +4% | 200 |
| Maryland | $48K | +2% | 1,240 |
| New Hampshire | $47K | +2% | 450 |
| Illinois | $47K | +1% | 2,860 |
Track medical equipment preparers 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 medical equipment preparers make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $79,820 a year - that works out to about $38.37 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,010, and experienced medical equipment preparers can clear $94,030. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $80K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,082/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 82.9% 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 medical equipment preparers 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 medical equipment preparers salary is worth about $72,630 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do medical equipment preparers 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.