Producers and Directors Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
The median pay for a producers and directors in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $84,660/year ($40.7/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $151K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $77,034 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 79.3% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $85K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
About producers and directors
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level producers and directors (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $85K.Top earners bring in $151K or more - a $104K spread from bottom to top.
Producers and Directors pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $122K | +46% | 35,650 |
| New Jersey | $108K | +29% | 3,060 |
| New York | $104K | +25% | 29,720 |
| District of Columbia | $100K | +20% | 2,810 |
| Delaware | $94K | +13% | 90 |
| Connecticut | $86K | +3% | 2,080 |
| Florida | $81K | -3% | 8,160 |
| Oregon | $81K | -3% | 1,340 |
| Washington | $79K | -5% | 2,710 |
| Massachusetts | $79K | -5% | 3,520 |
| Nevada | $78K | -7% | 1,450 |
| Georgia | $77K | -8% | 3,470 |
| Rhode Island | $76K | -8% | 430 |
| Illinois | $76K | -9% | 3,380 |
| Maryland | $76K | -9% | 1,980 |
Track producers and directors 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 producers and directors make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $84,660 a year - that works out to about $40.7 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,410, and experienced producers and directors can clear $151,360. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $85K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,328/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 79.1% 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 producers and directors 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 producers and directors salary is worth about $77,034 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do producers and directors 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.