Occupational Health and Safety Specialists Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA make a median of $90,870 a year, or about $43.69 an hour. The range runs from $55K at the entry level to $151K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $82,684 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 73.9% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $91K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
About occupational health and safety specialists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level occupational health and safety specialists (10th percentile) start around $55K. Mid-career wages sit at $91K.Top earners bring in $151K or more - a $96K spread from bottom to top.
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $116K | +38% | 270 |
| California | $100K | +19% | 14,600 |
| Washington | $98K | +17% | 3,820 |
| Rhode Island | $98K | +17% | 220 |
| Illinois | $97K | +15% | 2,280 |
| Massachusetts | $96K | +15% | 3,380 |
| Minnesota | $94K | +12% | 2,390 |
| Wyoming | $93K | +11% | 520 |
| New Hampshire | $92K | +10% | 580 |
| Alaska | $92K | +9% | 380 |
| New Jersey | $91K | +9% | 2,840 |
| Connecticut | $91K | +8% | 1,010 |
| Hawaii | $90K | +7% | 610 |
| New York | $88K | +4% | 5,520 |
| Georgia | $87K | +4% | 2,970 |
Track occupational health and safety specialists 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 occupational health and safety specialists make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $90,870 a year - that works out to about $43.69 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $54,700, and experienced occupational health and safety specialists can clear $151,050. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $91K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,644/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 74.7% 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 occupational health and safety specialists 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 occupational health and safety specialists salary is worth about $82,684 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do occupational health and safety specialists 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.