Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
The median pay for a photographic process workers and processing machine operators in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $33,850/year ($16.27/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $34K at the entry level to $40K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $30,801 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 180.3% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $34K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Santa Cruz-Watsonville’s Regional Price Parity (109.9). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction.
About photographic process workers and processing machine operators
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level photographic process workers and processing machine operators (10th percentile) start around $34K. Mid-career wages sit at $34K. Top earners bring in $40K or more, a $6K spread from bottom to top.
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $72K | +80% | 340 |
| Washington | $52K | +29% | 70 |
| Michigan | $52K | +29% | 720 |
| Maryland | $51K | +27% | 120 |
| Ohio | $50K | +25% | 30 |
| California | $46K | +14% | 940 |
| Wisconsin | $45K | +12% | 90 |
| New Jersey | $41K | +3% | 90 |
| Utah | $40K | +0% | 110 |
| Kentucky | $39K | -3% | 60 |
| Oregon | $39K | -4% | 60 |
| Texas | $38K | -5% | 190 |
| Missouri | $37K | -7% | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $37K | -7% | N/A |
| Virginia | $36K | -9% | 130 |
| Indiana | $36K | -10% | 260 |
| Pennsylvania | $36K | -10% | 350 |
| New Mexico | $36K | -10% | 50 |
| Florida | $36K | -10% | 170 |
| Arizona | $36K | -11% | N/A |
| North Carolina | $34K | -16% | 460 |
| Iowa | $32K | -20% | 90 |
| Tennessee | $31K | -22% | 100 |
| Georgia | $30K | -26% | 100 |
| Kansas | $29K | -27% | 30 |
| Illinois | $29K | -27% | N/A |
| Alabama | $29K | -28% | 60 |
| South Carolina | $29K | -28% | N/A |
Showing 1–10 of 28 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track photographic process workers and processing machine operators 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 photographic process workers and processing machine operators make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $33,850 a year, that works out to about $16 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $33,850, and experienced photographic process workers and processing machine operators can clear $39,850. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $34K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,392/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month, which eats 176.2% 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 photographic process workers and processing machine operators 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 photographic process workers and processing machine operators salary is worth about $30,801 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do photographic process workers and processing machine operators 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.