Nursing Assistants Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
In Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, nursing assistants earn $46,730 at the median — $22.47 an hour. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $51K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $42,520 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 130.6% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $47K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
About nursing assistants
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level nursing assistants (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $47K.Top earners bring in $51K or more - a $12K spread from bottom to top.
Nursing Assistants pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $48K | +22% | 12,800 |
| Washington | $48K | +22% | 28,080 |
| New York | $47K | +20% | 85,310 |
| District of Columbia | $47K | +19% | 2,550 |
| California | $46K | +17% | 102,380 |
| New Hampshire | $46K | +16% | 7,190 |
| Alaska | $46K | +16% | 1,660 |
| Maine | $46K | +15% | 8,590 |
| Minnesota | $46K | +15% | 26,970 |
| Massachusetts | $45K | +15% | 38,280 |
| Nevada | $45K | +14% | 8,670 |
| New Jersey | $45K | +14% | 31,310 |
| Hawaii | $45K | +13% | 4,620 |
| Illinois | $45K | +13% | 64,660 |
| Connecticut | $45K | +13% | 21,390 |
Track nursing assistants 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 nursing assistants make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $46,730 a year - that works out to about $22.47 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $39,370, and experienced nursing assistants can clear $51,350. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $47K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,208/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 131.4% 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 nursing assistants 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 nursing assistants salary is worth about $42,520 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do nursing assistants 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.