Teachers and Instructors, All Other Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
In Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, teachers and instructors, all others earn $98,940 at the median. The range runs from $59K at the entry level to $126K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $90,027 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 67.8% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $99K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
About teachers and instructors, all others
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level teachers and instructors, all others (10th percentile) start around $59K. Mid-career wages sit at $99K.Top earners bring in $126K or more - a $67K spread from bottom to top.
Teachers and Instructors, All Other pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $125K | +94% | 450 |
| California | $89K | +38% | 34,370 |
| District of Columbia | $88K | +36% | 1,050 |
| Massachusetts | $86K | +32% | 1,910 |
| Virginia | $82K | +27% | 3,430 |
| Kansas | $82K | +27% | 890 |
| Arizona | $78K | +20% | 790 |
| New York | $76K | +18% | 3,080 |
| New Hampshire | $76K | +18% | 180 |
| Maine | $76K | +17% | 290 |
| New Jersey | $75K | +16% | 1,290 |
| Hawaii | $75K | +15% | 460 |
| South Dakota | $74K | +15% | 130 |
| Washington | $73K | +13% | 1,260 |
| Maryland | $73K | +13% | 3,440 |
Track teachers and instructors, all other 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 teachers and instructors, all others make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $98,940 a year. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $59,340, and experienced teachers and instructors, all others can clear $126,220. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $99K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,054/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 69.6% 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 teachers and instructors, all other 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 teachers and instructors, all other salary is worth about $90,027 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do teachers and instructors, all others 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.