Solar Photovoltaic Installers Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
The median pay for a solar photovoltaic installers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $67,440/year ($32.42/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $54K at the entry level to $109K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $61,365 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 95.7% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $67K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level solar photovoltaic installers (10th percentile) start around $54K. Mid-career wages sit at $67K.Top earners bring in $109K or more - a $55K spread from bottom to top.
Solar Photovoltaic Installers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $104K | +100% | N/A |
| Nevada | $66K | +27% | 170 |
| New Jersey | $65K | +25% | 1,280 |
| Vermont | $64K | +24% | 60 |
| Hawaii | $63K | +21% | 370 |
| California | $61K | +17% | 8,970 |
| Oregon | $59K | +13% | 240 |
| Maryland | $58K | +13% | 490 |
| Kansas | $57K | +10% | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $55K | +6% | N/A |
| Michigan | $55K | +6% | 90 |
| Ohio | $54K | +3% | N/A |
| New York | $53K | +2% | N/A |
| Arizona | $50K | -3% | 1,360 |
| South Carolina | $49K | -5% | 270 |
Track solar photovoltaic installers 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 solar photovoltaic installers make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $67,440 a year - that works out to about $32.42 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $54,050, and experienced solar photovoltaic installers can clear $108,860. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $67K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,445/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 94.8% 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 solar photovoltaic installers 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 solar photovoltaic installers salary is worth about $61,365 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do solar photovoltaic installers 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.