metropolitan statistical area · 42100

Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area

Figures describe the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metropolitan statistical area as defined by BLS/OMB — the whole multi-county metro region, not Santa Cruz city limits.

Median annual wage, all occupations$54,730
Total employment98,500

Across all occupations, the median wage in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area was $54,730 per year ($26.31 per hour) as of the May 2025 OEWS estimates, across 98,500 jobs. 334 detailed occupations are published for this area.

Most concentrated occupations

Occupations far more common here than in the U.S. overall (location quotient ≥ 1.5, published estimates only) — a truthful picture of what makes this area’s job mix distinctive.

Location quotient: local share of employment ÷ national share
OccupationLocation quotientEmploymentMedian annual
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term3.221,070$59,900
Self-Enrichment Teachers3.00630$49,120
Amusement and Recreation Attendants2.61660$37,150
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors2.47550$74,990
Office Clerks, General2.153,360$41,040
Medical Assistants1.85960$50,090
Cooks, Fast Food1.74710$43,630
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers1.711,030$46,210

All published occupations

Every detailed occupation BLS publishes for this area in May 2025 334 in total. Sort by pay, employment, or concentration.

Published occupations in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area
Occupation
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$34,320$16.504,4701.64
Office Clerks, General$41,040$19.733,3602.15
Fast Food and Counter Workers$43,400$20.873,2201.32
Cashiers$37,390$17.972,5301.29
Retail Salespersons$38,620$18.572,4300.98
General and Operations Managers$105,360$50.651,7700.80
Registered Nurses$170,960$82.191,7500.82
Waiters and Waitresses$35,930$17.271,6401.14
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$40,780$19.611,5101.08
Stockers and Order Fillers$38,710$18.611,2500.70
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$61,960$29.791,1201.29
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$59,900$28.801,0703.22
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$47,430Not published1,0601.18
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$46,210$22.221,0301.71
Cooks, Restaurant$44,560$21.421,0201.15
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$99,260Not published1,0001.14
Medical Assistants$50,090$24.089601.85
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$48,220$23.189601.24
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$57,510$27.659600.89
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$50,000$24.048800.91
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$77,410$37.228600.95
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$44,050$21.188600.46
Food Preparation Workers$39,110$18.808301.46
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$38,730$18.628301.52
Customer Service Representatives$48,110$23.138200.50
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$52,240$25.128001.13
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$75,310$36.217500.95
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$59,500$28.607500.57
Accountants and Auditors$84,920$40.837400.81
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$50,230$24.157201.19
Cooks, Fast Food$43,630$20.987101.74
Carpenters$77,690$37.357001.65
Amusement and Recreation Attendants$37,150$17.866602.61
Business Operations Specialists, All Other$84,010$40.396300.91
Self-Enrichment Teachers$49,120$23.626303.00
Light Truck Drivers$48,740$23.435900.95
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$98,810Not published5600.84
Bartenders$36,100$17.365601.18
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$74,990$36.055502.47
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$65,600$31.545500.69
Software Developers$156,910$75.445400.51
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$58,790$28.275301.69
Sales Managers$117,090$56.305201.29
Construction Laborers$58,500$28.135200.74
Dishwashers$37,380$17.975101.69
Receptionists and Information Clerks$44,980$21.635100.89
Computer Systems Analysts$124,450$59.834901.50
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$35,640$17.144901.44
Security Guards$43,610$20.964700.58
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$36,450$17.534702.78
Medical and Health Services Managers$138,640$66.664601.20
Human Resources Specialists$84,690$40.724500.78
Management Analysts$105,480$50.714500.79
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$58,860$28.304501.01
Project Management Specialists$106,780$51.344400.65
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$78,880$37.924400.77
Nursing Assistants$47,940$23.054400.48
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$47,780$22.974201.39
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$48,340$23.244100.78
Financial Managers$165,800$79.714000.75
Child, Family, and School Social Workers$61,960$29.794001.62
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$122,970$59.124000.93
Social and Human Service Assistants$54,870$26.383901.39
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$43,610$20.963901.60
Packers and Packagers, Hand$36,510$17.563901.11
Firefighters$64,980$31.243801.73
Counter and Rental Clerks$41,600$20.003801.50
Dental Assistants$58,580$28.163701.50
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$60,580$29.133701.80
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$57,780$27.783703.69
Managers, All Other$170,650$82.043500.88
Lawyers$164,790$79.233500.73
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$68,130$32.753501.18
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$81,000$38.943400.82
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$39,970$19.223403.43
Childcare Workers$38,050$18.293301.01
Electricians$76,610$36.833300.70
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$47,560$22.873300.37
First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$59,880$28.793200.82
Driver/Sales Workers$41,600$20.003201.25
Bakers$42,920$20.633102.08
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$87,180$41.913000.59
Administrative Services Managers$117,010$56.252801.68
Training and Development Specialists$77,400$37.212800.96
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$36,050$17.332801.01
Recreation Workers$38,340$18.432801.31
Social and Community Service Managers$81,130$39.002702.03
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$80,820$38.862700.69
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$74,690$35.912700.63
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$46,530$22.372700.56
Computer and Information Systems Managers$198,770$95.562600.61
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$77,250$37.142600.82
Pharmacy Technicians$50,100$24.092600.87
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$38,200$18.372601.55
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$84,090$40.432600.90
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$51,210$24.622600.69
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$46,850$22.532500.88
Food Service Managers$77,470$37.252401.61
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$74,380$35.762400.77
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$67,530$32.472400.98
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$157,630Not published2301.12
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$71,070$34.172301.14
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$79,480$38.212303.27
Postal Service Mail Carriers$62,070$29.842301.11
Painters, Construction and Maintenance$62,400$30.002301.61
Chief Executives$209,080$100.522201.71
Dental Hygienists$130,600$62.792201.59
Computer User Support Specialists$75,720$36.412100.47
Civil Engineers$118,050$56.762100.91
Teachers and Instructors, All Other$101,050Not published2102.91
Cooks, Short Order$39,140$18.822102.33
Billing and Posting Clerks$58,400$28.082100.81
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$78,330$37.662100.82
Compliance Officers$86,510$41.592000.76
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$79,490Not published2000.52
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$47,150$22.672002.47
Chefs and Head Cooks$59,190$28.462001.59
Animal Caretakers$39,870$19.172001.18
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$37,360$17.962000.83
Mechanical Engineers$132,920$63.911900.99
Coaches and Scouts$48,380Not published1901.18
Nurse Practitioners$167,190$80.381900.91
Physicians, All Other$305,610$146.931900.87
Computer Occupations, All Other$107,990$51.921800.65
Tutors$42,290$20.331801.65
Public Relations Specialists$83,180$39.991801.01
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$37,380$17.971800.93
Tellers$46,370$22.291800.88
Pharmacists$161,940$77.861700.85
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$37,860$18.201700.89
Insurance Sales Agents$63,300$30.431700.55
Physical Therapists$124,790$60.001600.96
Psychiatric AidesNot publishedNot published1607.13
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$60,570$29.121601.44
Marketing Managers$168,980$81.241500.61
Construction Managers$128,730$61.891500.62
Cost Estimators$80,170$38.541501.06
Financial and Investment Analysts$99,820$47.991500.67
Engineers, All Other$141,150$67.861501.57
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$134,060$64.451501.41
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$64,690$31.101500.60
Instructional Coordinators$99,230$47.711501.03
Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other$70,570$33.931502.02
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$62,810$30.201501.79
Sales and Related Workers, All Other$61,920$29.771502.59
Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other$72,830$35.021501.26
Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$39,210$18.851500.94
Network and Computer Systems Administrators$118,810$57.121400.69
First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$63,600$30.581401.24
First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$69,770$33.541401.72
Roofers$61,640$29.641401.58
Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$49,280$23.691400.91
Bus Drivers, School$59,100$28.411400.56
Human Resources Managers$164,570$79.121300.94
Fundraisers$82,310$39.571301.79
Marriage and Family Therapists$70,910$34.091303.16
Rehabilitation Counselors$48,070$23.111302.22
Special Education Teachers, All Other$75,710Not published1306.09
Veterinarians$164,820$79.241302.41
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$60,510$29.091301.17
Parts Salespersons$44,870$21.571300.74
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$75,640$36.361300.41
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$50,330$24.201301.17
Butchers and Meat Cutters$44,260$21.281301.52
Industrial Production Managers$133,890$64.371200.76
Industrial Engineers$131,740$63.341200.53
Social Workers, All OtherNot publishedNot published1203.08
Physician Assistants$159,030$76.461201.14
Correctional Officers and Jailers$80,950$38.921200.52
First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services$53,810$25.871201.79
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$68,380$32.881201.21
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$57,100$27.451200.90
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers$74,740$35.931202.33
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$112,570$54.121100.79
Logisticians$104,320$50.151100.72
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$67,550$32.481101.26
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$57,950$27.861101.58
Speech-Language Pathologists$118,670$57.051100.97
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$129,920$62.461100.75
Massage Therapists$58,050$27.911101.77
Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$50,870$24.461101.56
Tree Trimmers and Pruners$47,720$22.941103.26
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$60,210$28.951100.87
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$37,910$18.231100.88
Facilities Managers$114,670$55.131001.01
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$133,970$64.411000.86
Urban and Regional Planners$112,270$53.981003.41
Healthcare Social Workers$89,430$43.001000.81
Occupational Therapists$130,420$62.701000.98
Medical Records Specialists$60,580$29.121000.79
Physical Therapist Aides$39,210$18.851003.22
Protective Service Workers, All OtherNot publishedNot published1001.96
Demonstrators and Product Promoters$43,480$20.911002.53
Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan$63,690$30.621001.07
Plasterers and Stucco Masons$68,210$32.791008.29
Automotive Body and Related Repairers$62,610$30.101001.03
Industrial Machinery Mechanics$70,790$34.031000.34
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$55,560$26.711002.74
Helpers--Production Workers$39,700$19.091000.93
Computer Programmers$132,850$63.87901.59
Electrical Engineers$133,560$64.21900.74
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$103,610$49.81901.51
Graphic Designers$64,510$31.01900.74
Dentists, General$175,950$84.59901.16
Skincare Specialists$39,120$18.81901.85
Information and Record Clerks, All Other$58,740$28.24901.07
Public Safety Telecommunicators$85,950$41.32901.42
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$75,670$36.38900.47
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$50,840$24.44900.35
Education Administrators, All Other$109,890$52.83802.35
Architectural and Engineering Managers$206,880$99.46800.54
Natural Sciences Managers$202,380$97.30801.19
Personal Financial Advisors$122,170$58.74800.46
Data Scientists$130,980$62.97800.51
Computer Hardware Engineers$169,370$81.43801.60
Health Education Specialists$78,640$37.81801.91
Community Health Workers$59,470$28.59802.08
Producers and Directors$77,530$37.27800.87
Musicians and SingersNot publishedNot published803.65
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$83,100$39.95800.39
Surgical Technologists$100,130$48.14801.09
First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$78,590$37.79800.62
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$94,060$45.22801.01
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling$77,610$37.31702.76
Loan Officers$78,940$37.95700.39
Chemists$95,840$46.08701.32
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$106,430$51.17700.80
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$62,680$30.13700.79
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$101,060Not published700.69
Respiratory Therapists$134,880$64.85700.77
Emergency Medical Technicians$51,970$24.98700.64
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$172,590$82.98700.68
Real Estate Sales Agents$51,530$24.78700.55
Library Assistants, Clerical$51,410$24.72701.29
Glaziers$58,970$28.35701.98
Machinists$51,420$24.72700.38
Printing Press Operators$43,480$20.91700.75
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters$49,340$23.72701.44
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$59,280$28.50700.63
Parking Attendants$37,770$18.16700.86
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$60,210$28.95601.36
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$95,730$46.02600.29
Tax Preparers$71,800$34.52601.20
Web and Digital Interface Designers$114,220$54.91600.78
Biological Scientists, All Other$98,400$47.31601.62
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$112,860$54.26601.17
Clergy$61,630$29.63601.58
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$44,260$21.28600.53
Physical Therapist Assistants$87,330$41.99600.87
File Clerks$60,530$29.10601.38
Loan Interviewers and Clerks$61,350$29.50600.56
Order Clerks$44,420$21.36601.34
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$61,600$29.62601.05
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks$57,840$27.81600.43
Construction and Building Inspectors$98,680$47.44600.67
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$83,030$39.92600.65
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$75,270$36.19600.56
Tire Repairers and Changers$41,290$19.85600.87
Food Batchmakers$39,090$18.80600.53
Production Workers, All Other$46,340$22.28600.37
Education Administrators, Postsecondary$172,410$82.89500.45
Financial Specialists, All Other$62,720$30.16500.58
Computer Network Support Specialists$102,980$49.51500.54
Operations Research Analysts$104,680$50.33500.73
Conservation Scientists$72,860$35.03503.32
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers$136,120$65.44503.15
Biological Technicians$66,240$31.84501.23
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health$66,000$31.73502.27
Forest and Conservation Technicians$46,010$22.12502.75
Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other$66,290$31.87501.08
Counselors, All Other$48,620$23.38502.80
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$80,100Not published500.64
Optometrists$122,150$58.73501.84
Acupuncturists$91,350$43.92509.86
Opticians, Dispensing$55,950$26.90501.06
Medical Equipment Preparers$81,370$39.12501.12
Phlebotomists$59,800$28.75500.53
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$111,560$53.64500.87
Pest Control Workers$50,440$24.25500.84
First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers$60,080$28.88500.71
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers$35,860$17.24500.64
Tour and Travel Guides$44,270$21.29501.57
Residential Advisors$46,440$22.33500.93
Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other$42,110$20.24501.25
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$131,520$63.23500.26
Bill and Account Collectors$60,390$29.04500.47
Postal Service Clerks$60,740$29.20501.09
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$77,780$37.40500.47
Data Entry Keyers$44,980$21.63500.60
First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers$44,910$21.59502.90
Tile and Stone Setters$59,770$28.73502.08
Helpers--Carpenters$59,090$28.41503.30
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers$48,000$23.08500.76
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$61,260$29.45500.48
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants$40,240$19.35500.75
Material Moving Workers, All Other$35,960$17.29503.18
Public Relations Managers$128,280$61.67400.86
Training and Development Managers$150,820$72.51401.20
Labor Relations Specialists$128,320$61.69400.96
Financial Risk Specialists$101,280$48.69400.92
Database Administrators$102,510$49.28400.91
Web Developers$81,350$39.11400.81
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$105,750$50.84400.66
Architectural and Civil Drafters$67,930$32.66400.58
Anthropologists and Archeologists$66,040$31.75407.87
Chemical Technicians$57,390$27.59400.98
Directors, Religious Activities and Education$56,870$27.34402.51
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$91,090$43.80400.42
Art Directors$126,410$60.78401.06
Audio and Video Technicians$56,790$27.30400.80
Dietitians and Nutritionists$103,760$49.88400.87
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers$142,150$68.34400.71
Paramedics$71,390$34.32400.62
Detectives and Criminal Investigators$102,710$49.38400.60
Procurement Clerks$55,920$26.88401.06
Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping$45,950$22.09401.05
Stonemasons$59,620$28.66408.85
Solar Photovoltaic Installers$69,550$33.44402.02
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers$37,550$18.05400.48
Sewing Machine Operators$44,350$21.32400.65
Fundraising Managers$179,130$86.12301.24
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer$182,840$87.90300.53
Environmental Engineers$130,270$62.63301.31
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists$122,170$58.74302.79
School PsychologistsNot publishedNot published300.80
Museum Technicians and Conservators$75,100$36.11304.00
Editors$77,890$37.45300.53
OrderliesNot publishedNot published300.93
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$66,940$32.18300.34
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers$66,080$31.77300.63
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood$54,340$26.13301.24
Family Medicine Physicians$291,880$140.33Not publishedNot published
General Internal Medicine Physicians$430,970$207.20Not publishedNot published
Psychiatric Technicians$43,710$21.01Not publishedNot published

About this data. Estimates are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 release, retrieved from bls.gov/oes/tables.htm on July 24, 2026. OEWS estimates describe metropolitan/nonmetropolitan areas and states — not city limits — and are not designed for year-over-year comparisons. See BLS methodology, our plain-English methodology, and sources. CitySalaryData is independent and not affiliated with BLS.