Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
The median pay for a secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $82,170/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $58K at the entry level to $127K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $74,768 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 81.7% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $82K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
About secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical educations
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical educations (10th percentile) start around $58K. Mid-career wages sit at $82K.Top earners bring in $127K or more - a $70K spread from bottom to top.
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $100K | +54% | 14,730 |
| California | $99K | +53% | 96,050 |
| New York | $98K | +52% | 76,730 |
| Rhode Island | $89K | +38% | 5,030 |
| Massachusetts | $89K | +38% | 29,100 |
| New Jersey | $80K | +25% | 34,510 |
| Oregon | $80K | +23% | 10,640 |
| District of Columbia | $79K | +22% | 2,960 |
| Pennsylvania | $78K | +21% | 52,650 |
| Alaska | $78K | +20% | 2,780 |
| Connecticut | $77K | +20% | 15,410 |
| Maryland | $77K | +19% | 18,140 |
| Illinois | $77K | +19% | 47,890 |
| Ohio | $77K | +19% | 51,470 |
| Delaware | $75K | +17% | 5,410 |
Track secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education 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 secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical educations make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $82,170 a year. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $57,620, and experienced secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical educations can clear $127,280. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $82K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,201/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 81% 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 secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education 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 secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education salary is worth about $74,768 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical educations 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.