Overview Salaries

Salaries in Santa Cruz, CA

Updated on Mar 10, 2026
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Salary

What is the average salary in Santa Cruz, CA?

The average salary in Santa Cruz, CA is $76,002 per year.
Yearly
Monthly
Weekly
Hourly
Graph depicting the yearly salary distribution for Santa Cruz, CA, showing an average salary of $76,002 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the monthly salary distribution for Santa Cruz, CA, showing an average salary of $6,334 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the weekly salary distribution for Santa Cruz, CA, showing an average salary of $1,462 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the hourly salary distribution for Santa Cruz, CA, showing an average salary of $37 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

Santa Cruz, CA offers a variety of salary opportunities across different industries. The average yearly salary here stands at $76,002. This figure reflects the income potential available to job seekers in the area. A diverse range of jobs contributes to this average, ensuring that many fields have competitive pay.


Some of the highest-paying job sectors in Santa Cruz include education and health services, and technology. Jobs in these areas often offer salaries above the average. For example, roles in education can pay up to $96,789 per year. Similarly, health services professionals may earn up to $112,486 annually. Technology jobs also provide strong earning potential, with some roles reaching over $143,881 per year. These figures highlight the promising financial opportunities for job seekers in Santa Cruz.

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What are the best paying jobs in Santa Cruz, CA?

Santa Cruz offers a variety of high-paying job opportunities across multiple sectors. Healthcare professionals, in particular, enjoy competitive salaries. Jobs like Staff Nurse and Radiologic Technologist stand out with their high earnings, making Santa Cruz an attractive place for those in the medical field. In Santa Cruz, roles in healthcare consistently offer top pay. For example, staff nurses can earn more than $200,000 a year, while radiologic technologists also see high salaries, often above $130,000. Other well-paid positions include registered nurses, traveling nurses, and speech-language pathologists. These roles ensure job seekers in the area can find rewarding and financially stable careers.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Santa Cruz, CA, highlighting Staff Nurse with the highest at $201,410 and Licensed Vocational Nurse with the lowest at $76,216.

  1. Staff Nurse
    Average Salary: $201,410
    Work in local hospitals and healthcare centers. Provide patient care and support doctors. Opportunity to grow in specialized fields.
    Find Staff Nurse jobs in Santa Cruz, CA


  2. Radiologic Technologist
    Average Salary: $138,605
    Conduct imaging tests in medical facilities. Work with patients to ensure clear results. Gain experience in a thriving medical sector.
    Find Radiologic Technologist jobs in Santa Cruz, CA


  3. Registered Nurse
    Average Salary: $129,144
    Provide essential patient care across various settings. Collaborate with healthcare teams to improve patient outcomes. Enjoy diverse work environments.
    Find Registered Nurse jobs in Santa Cruz, CA


  4. Traveling Nurse
    Average Salary: $124,073
    Travel to different locations to provide nursing care. Experience diverse healthcare systems. Enjoy flexibility and competitive pay.
    Find Traveling Nurse jobs in Santa Cruz, CA


  5. Speech Language Pathologist
    Average Salary: $119,945
    Help individuals with communication and swallowing disorders. Work in schools, hospitals, and clinics. Make a significant impact on patients' lives.
    Find Speech Language Pathologist jobs in Santa Cruz, CA


  6. Occupational Therapist
    Average Salary: $117,098
    Assist patients in regaining independence through therapy. Work with individuals of all ages. Enjoy a rewarding career in rehabilitation.
    Find Occupational Therapist jobs in Santa Cruz, CA


  7. Behavior Analyst
    Average Salary: $88,833
    Conduct assessments and develop behavior plans. Work with individuals with developmental disorders. Make a difference in patients' lives.
    Find Behavior Analyst jobs in Santa Cruz, CA


  8. Physical Therapist Assistant
    Average Salary: $83,833
    Support physical therapists in patient care. Help individuals recover from injuries. Enjoy a dynamic and fulfilling career.
    Find Physical Therapist Assistant jobs in Santa Cruz, CA


  9. Counselor
    Average Salary: $78,727
    Provide guidance and support to individuals facing challenges. Work in schools, community centers, or private practices. Help others achieve their goals.
    Find Counselor jobs in Santa Cruz, CA


  10. Licensed Vocational Nurse
    Average Salary: $76,216
    Provide basic patient care in various settings. Work alongside doctors and registered nurses. Enjoy a stable career in the healthcare field.
    Find Licensed Vocational Nurse jobs in Santa Cruz, CA

What are the best paying jobs in Santa Cruz, CA without a degree?

Santa Cruz, CA, offers various well-paying jobs that do not require a college degree. Arborist climbers, who prune and maintain trees, earn an average of $54,154 annually. Groundskeepers, who care for parks and landscapes, make about $47,764 per year. In addition to these, roles such as meat cutters and line cooks also offer competitive wages. Meat cutters earn around $43,829, while line cooks take home approximately $43,460 annually. These jobs provide excellent opportunities for those looking to start or advance their careers without the need for a degree.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Santa Cruz, CA without a degree, highlighting Arborist Climber with the highest at $54,154 and Dishwasher with the lowest at $38,213.

  1. Arborist Climber
    Average Salary: $54,154
    Workers in this role climb trees to trim or remove branches. They work with local arborists and landscaping companies. This position requires physical fitness and safety training.
    Find Arborist Climber jobs in Santa Cruz, CA


  2. Groundskeeper
    Average Salary: $47,764
    These workers maintain the grounds of parks, homes, and public spaces. They plant, mow, prune, and clean. Employers include city parks departments and landscape companies.
    Find Groundskeeper jobs in Santa Cruz, CA


  3. Meat Cutter
    Average Salary: $43,829
    These professionals cut and package meat for grocery stores and butcher shops. They use sharp knives and follow safety standards. Work with local grocery stores and butcher shops.
    Find Meat Cutter jobs in Santa Cruz, CA


  4. Line Cook
    Average Salary: $43,460
    Line cooks prepare ingredients and cook dishes quickly in restaurants. They work in fast-paced environments. Employers include local restaurants and cafes.
    Find Line Cook jobs in Santa Cruz, CA


  5. Housekeeping
    Average Salary: $42,288
    Housekeepers clean and maintain rooms in hotels and residential properties. They ensure a clean and welcoming environment. Work with hotels and residential property management.
    Find Housekeeping jobs in Santa Cruz, CA


  6. Service Team Member
    Average Salary: $40,318
    These workers serve customers and clean tables in restaurants. They ensure a positive dining experience. Positions available in local restaurants and cafes.
    Find Service Team Member jobs in Santa Cruz, CA


  7. Barista
    Average Salary: $39,510
    Baristas prepare coffee and other drinks in cafes. They take orders and ensure customer satisfaction. Work in local coffee shops.
    Find Barista jobs in Santa Cruz, CA


  8. Server
    Average Salary: $39,197
    Servers take orders and serve food and drinks in restaurants. They interact with customers and ensure a pleasant dining experience. Available in local restaurants and cafes.
    Find Server jobs in Santa Cruz, CA


  9. Kitchen Team Member
    Average Salary: $38,826
    Kitchen team members assist in food preparation and cooking. They work in fast-paced environments. Employers include local restaurants and cafes.
    Find Kitchen Team Member jobs in Santa Cruz, CA


  10. Dishwasher
    Average Salary: $38,213
    Dishwasher wash dishes, utensils, and kitchen equipment. They ensure cleanliness in the kitchen. Work in restaurants and cafes.
    Find Dishwasher jobs in Santa Cruz, CA

Which companies offer the top salaries in Santa Cruz, CA?

Companies in Santa Cruz, CA, offer a range of salaries, with some standing out for their higher pay. For instance, CommonSpirit Health and Joby Aviation top the list, offering average salaries of over $160,000 and $136,000, respectively. These figures suggest significant opportunities for well-paid positions in various sectors, from healthcare to aviation. Among the best-paying employers are Sutter Health, County of Santa Cruz, and Telecare Corporation, each with average salaries surpassing $100,000. These employers provide competitive compensation, making them attractive options for professionals seeking lucrative roles in the region.
Graph displaying company salaries in Santa Cruz, CA, highlighting CommonSpirit Health with the highest at $161,980 and ENCOMPASS COMMUNITY SERVICES with the lowest at $63,226.

  1. CommonSpirit Health
    Average Salary: $161,980
    CommonSpirit Health is a large healthcare organization. They offer many job opportunities. Their workers often enjoy competitive salaries.


  2. Joby Aviation
    Average Salary: $136,646
    Joby Aviation focuses on electric air taxi services. They are a growing company in Santa Cruz. Their staff can expect good pay.


  3. Sutter Health
    Average Salary: $122,128
    Sutter Health is another major healthcare provider. They have a positive work environment. Employees often receive attractive salaries.


  4. County of Santa Cruz
    Average Salary: $121,667
    The County of Santa Cruz provides a range of public services. They offer stable jobs with good compensation. Many people choose to work here.


  5. Telecare Corporation
    Average Salary: $108,650
    Telecare Corporation is a non-profit health care provider. They offer many roles, often with good pay. They focus on quality care.


  6. LifePoint Health
    Average Salary: $108,127
    LifePoint Health operates community hospitals and care facilities. They provide rewarding work with competitive salaries. Many employees stay long-term.


  7. City of Santa Cruz
    Average Salary: $89,335
    The City of Santa Cruz provides local government services. They offer good pay for public service jobs. Employees often enjoy a positive work culture.


  8. University of California - Santa Cruz
    Average Salary: $84,505
    UC Santa Cruz is a top university. They offer a range of academic and support jobs. Their salaries are competitive for the education sector.


  9. Janus of Santa Cruz
    Average Salary: $69,250
    Janus of Santa Cruz is a non-profit organization. They focus on community support services. Their staff enjoy decent pay for the sector.


  10. ENCOMPASS COMMUNITY SERVICES
    Average Salary: $63,226
    ENCOMPASS provides community support services. They offer jobs that focus on helping others. Their pay is fair for the sector.

How does the cost of living in Santa Cruz, CA compare to the national average?

The cost of living in Santa Cruz, CA, significantly surpasses the nationwide average in several key areas. Housing costs are notably higher, with an index of 236 compared to the baseline of 100. This indicates that housing in Santa Cruz is more than double the national average. Other categories like groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous expenses also exceed the national average but not as dramatically. Groceries stand at 126, utilities at 116, transportation at 113, healthcare at 114, and miscellaneous costs at 118. These figures suggest that while living in Santa Cruz can be more expensive, some areas are relatively closer to the national average.
Cost of living comparison graph for Santa Cruz, CA vs. Nationwide: housing 136% higher, groceries 26% higher, utilities 16% higher, transportation 13% higher, healthcare 14% higher, miscellaneous 18% higher.

Santa Cruz, California, stands out with a high cost of living index compared to the nationwide average. Housing costs in Santa Cruz are significantly elevated, with an index of 236. This means housing expenses are 136% higher than the national average. Due to high demand and limited supply, renters and homeowners alike face steep prices.


Other essential expenses also mirror the elevated cost of living in Santa Cruz. Groceries in Santa Cruz have an index of 126, which is 26% above the national average. Utilities, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous goods and services also show increased costs, ranging from 13% to 18% higher than the nationwide average. These factors combine to make Santa Cruz a place where living expenses are notably higher than in many other parts of the country.

There are 557 job openings in Santa Cruz, CA, today!

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Discover what it's like to work in Santa Cruz, CA. Learn if you need a car, explore popular employers, the job market, and the best neighborhoods to live in.
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Santa Cruz, CA
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