Retail Salespersons Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Retail Salespersons in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA make a median of $36,910 a year, or about $17.74 an hour. The range runs from $35K at the entry level to $48K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $33,585 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 165.4% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $37K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
About retail salespersons
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level retail salespersons (10th percentile) start around $35K. Mid-career wages sit at $37K.Top earners bring in $48K or more - a $13K spread from bottom to top.
Retail Salespersons pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $38K | +11% | 86,050 |
| District of Columbia | $38K | +9% | 4,470 |
| California | $37K | +8% | 352,860 |
| New York | $37K | +7% | 233,740 |
| Alaska | $37K | +7% | 7,790 |
| Vermont | $37K | +6% | 7,930 |
| Maine | $36K | +5% | 17,210 |
| Massachusetts | $36K | +5% | 86,410 |
| Oregon | $36K | +5% | 47,930 |
| Hawaii | $36K | +4% | 18,140 |
| North Dakota | $36K | +3% | 10,450 |
| New Jersey | $36K | +3% | 87,760 |
| New Hampshire | $35K | +2% | 20,460 |
| Connecticut | $35K | +2% | 41,890 |
| Arizona | $35K | +2% | 88,490 |
Track retail salespersons 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 retail salespersons make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $36,910 a year - that works out to about $17.74 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $35,090, and experienced retail salespersons can clear $48,180. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $37K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,587/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 162.9% 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 retail salespersons 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 retail salespersons salary is worth about $33,585 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do retail salespersons 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.