Project Management Specialists Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
The median pay for a project management specialists in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $102,160/year ($49.12/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $64K at the entry level to $156K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $92,957 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 67% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $102K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
About project management specialists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level project management specialists (10th percentile) start around $64K. Mid-career wages sit at $102K.Top earners bring in $156K or more - a $92K spread from bottom to top.
Project Management Specialists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $117K | +16% | 35,660 |
| Virginia | $115K | +14% | 46,960 |
| Delaware | $114K | +13% | 2,200 |
| New Jersey | $113K | +12% | 26,850 |
| California | $111K | +10% | 113,980 |
| New York | $110K | +10% | 68,340 |
| Massachusetts | $109K | +8% | 19,790 |
| Alaska | $105K | +5% | 1,590 |
| Connecticut | $105K | +4% | 8,390 |
| Maryland | $104K | +3% | 32,840 |
| District of Columbia | $103K | +2% | 6,120 |
| New Mexico | $103K | +2% | 5,890 |
| Rhode Island | $103K | +2% | 3,300 |
| Illinois | $102K | +2% | 23,850 |
| Georgia | $101K | +0% | 29,180 |
Track project management 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 project management specialists make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $102,160 a year - that works out to about $49.12 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $63,610, and experienced project management specialists can clear $155,510. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $102K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,218/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 67.8% 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 project management 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 project management specialists salary is worth about $92,957 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do project management 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.