Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Metro Area · BLS OEWS 2022

In Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, BLS OEWS tracks wages for 316 detailed occupations covering about 82,710 jobs. Across occupations, local pay runs 5.8% above the national median on average.

Highest-Paying Occupations (2022)

"vs National" compares this area's median for each occupation to the U.S. national median — a positive number means the area pays a premium for that role.

Highest-paying occupations in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, BLS OEWS 2022.
Occupation Median Annual vs National Employment
Physicians, All Other $233,640 -1% 280
Family Medicine Physicians $223,520 +35.7% 70
Dentists, General $209,990 +26.3% 90
Chief Executives $197,660 +127.5% 230
Architectural and Engineering Managers $197,360 +19.3% 100
Registered Nurses $175,350 +46% 1,500
Natural Sciences Managers $166,170 +5.3% 70
Computer and Information Systems Managers $165,890 -2.1% 220
Pharmacists $157,690 +15.9% 200
Nurse Practitioners $152,680 +20.9% 150
Human Resources Managers $149,990 +10% 120
Financial Managers $147,320 +31.5% 380
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $143,080 +40.6% 40
Physician Assistants $141,080 +8.5% 120
Marketing Managers $138,470 -22.8% 150
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $137,910 +4.2% 40
Software Developers $137,730 -17.3% 460
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers $135,930 +60.9% 50
Managers, All Other $135,820 +1.7% 350
Education Administrators, Postsecondary $133,340 +29.9% 270
Public Relations Managers $131,540 -2.4% 30
Lawyers $130,680 -10.3% 270
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary $128,780 +24.5% 180
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers $128,190 +25.9% 70
Engineers, All Other $127,920 +14.2% 100

Largest Occupations by Employment (2022)

Largest occupations by employment in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, BLS OEWS 2022.
Occupation Employment Median Annual
Cashiers 2,850 $34,060
Fast Food and Counter Workers 2,660 $34,280
Retail Salespersons 2,090 $35,540
Office Clerks, General 1,800 $42,580
Stockers and Order Fillers 1,590 $37,100
General and Operations Managers 1,580 $103,470
Waiters and Waitresses 1,580 $31,300
Registered Nurses 1,500 $175,350
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners 1,420 $34,980
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand 1,270 $36,310
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive 1,250 $48,150
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks 1,130 $55,080
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education 1,110 $78,440
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers 1,110 $37,850
Cooks, Restaurant 1,060 $37,330
Customer Service Representatives 1,020 $45,220
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary 980 $38,080
Light Truck Drivers 960 $43,680
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers 960 $38,490
Medical Assistants 870 $46,650
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General 860 $48,870
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers 840 $65,120
Cooks, Fast Food 840 $34,310
Carpenters 790 $63,880
Food Preparation Workers 790 $34,410
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