Nurse Practitioners Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
In Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, nurse practitioners earn $159,090 at the median — $76.49 an hour. The range runs from $122K at the entry level to $204K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $144,759 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 44.9% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $159K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
About nurse practitioners
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level nurse practitioners (10th percentile) start around $122K. Mid-career wages sit at $159K.Top earners bring in $204K or more - a $82K spread from bottom to top.
Nurse Practitioners pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $167K | +29% | 20,980 |
| New Jersey | $150K | +16% | 9,590 |
| Alaska | $145K | +13% | 570 |
| New York | $145K | +13% | 20,430 |
| Oregon | $145K | +12% | 2,430 |
| Washington | $140K | +9% | 4,790 |
| Connecticut | $139K | +8% | 3,680 |
| Massachusetts | $139K | +7% | 8,920 |
| New Mexico | $138K | +7% | 1,870 |
| Arizona | $134K | +4% | 7,540 |
| Montana | $134K | +3% | 1,050 |
| New Hampshire | $132K | +2% | 1,790 |
| District of Columbia | $131K | +2% | 790 |
| Hawaii | $131K | +1% | 470 |
| Rhode Island | $131K | +1% | 1,200 |
Track nurse practitioners salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Santa Cruz-Watsonville numbers change.
Related careers in Healthcare
Frequently asked questions
How much do nurse practitioners make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $159,090 a year - that works out to about $76.49 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $121,990, and experienced nurse practitioners can clear $204,280. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $159K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,046/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 46.6% 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 nurse practitioners 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 nurse practitioners salary is worth about $144,759 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do nurse practitioners 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.