Average Computer and Mathematical Occupations Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
In Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, professionals in Computer and Mathematical Occupations earn an average annual salary of $117,720. This figure is slightly below the national average of $119,220, suggesting a localized market dynamic that may be influenced by regional economic factors and the specific industry concentration within the area.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $117,720 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 21.4% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $175,920.
- Outlook: The Santa Cruz-Watsonville region supports a workforce of 2,110 individuals in Computer and Mathematical Occupations. With a Location Quotient of 0.63, this sector is less concentrated than the national average, indicating a potentially less saturated but also less dominant job market for these roles within the local economy.
Salary Overview
The average Computer and Mathematical Occupations in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA earns-1.3%below the national average.
$56.6
$2,264
$9,810
Computer and Mathematical Occupations Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for Santa Cruz-Watsonville's Computer and Mathematical Occupations is not provided, it is reasonable to assume a trend of salary growth mirroring national patterns. Over the past four years, the tech sector has generally seen upward salary adjustments due to increasing demand for specialized skills and ongoing innovation, a trend likely reflected in this California region.
Computer and Mathematical Occupations Salary Distribution in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Salary progression within Computer and Mathematical Occupations in Santa Cruz-Watsonville typically scales significantly with experience. Entry-level positions may start considerably lower than the average, while senior and specialized roles can command salaries well above $117,720. The percentile gaps between these levels signify clear career advancement opportunities and the increasing value of expertise in the field.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $60,970 | $29.3 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $88,290 | $42.4 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $108,540 | $52.2 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $147,150 | $70.7 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $175,920 | $84.6 |
Detailed Computer and Mathematical Occupations Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$117,720
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$117,720
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $117,720 in Santa Cruz-Watsonville aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of the salary in this region is comparable to the national average, offering a stable financial environment for professionals without the premium often associated with higher cost-of-living areas.
Job Market Context
2,110
Total Jobs
21.336
Per 1K Jobs
0.63
Location Quotient
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA has 0.63x the national average concentration of Computer and Mathematical Occupations jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.
A Location Quotient of 0.63 for Computer and Mathematical Occupations in Santa Cruz-Watsonville indicates that this sector is less prevalent locally compared to the national average. While this suggests a potentially less competitive job market for these roles, it also implies that the demand might be more niche, requiring specific skill sets to align with local industry needs.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Computer and Mathematical Occupations
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Computer and Mathematical Occupations Salary | $203,240↑ 73% | 26 mi |
| Salinas, CA Computer and Mathematical Occupations Salary | $107,420↓ 9% | 30 mi |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA Computer and Mathematical Occupations Salary | $163,070↑ 39% | 58 mi |
| Modesto, CA Computer and Mathematical Occupations Salary | $99,070↓ 16% | 73 mi |
| Vallejo, CA Computer and Mathematical Occupations Salary | $109,890↓ 7% | 79 mi |
Comparing salaries near Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Hiring Computer and Mathematical Occupationss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Computer and Mathematical Occupations make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median annual salary for a Computer and Mathematical Occupations in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $117,720. This typically ranges from $60,970 for entry-level positions to $175,920 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is 1.3% lower than the national median of $119,220.
Is Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA a lucrative place for Computer and Mathematical Occupationss?
Moderately lucrative, with comparable purchasing power.The average salary of $117,720 is close to the national average, and the cost of living is exactly at the national average, offering stable financial conditions.
Is Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA a good place to live for Computer and Mathematical Occupations?
The Cost of Living Index in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
Some top paying nearby cities include San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($203,240) and Salinas, CA.
How does the Santa Cruz-Watsonville salary compare to the national average?
The average annual salary for Computer and Mathematical Occupations in Santa Cruz-Watsonville is $117,720, which is slightly lower than the national average of $119,220.
What is the concentration of Computer and Mathematical Occupations jobs in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
The concentration, measured by the Location Quotient, is 0.63, meaning the jobs are less concentrated in this area compared to the national average.
How does the cost of living in Santa Cruz-Watsonville affect the salary?
The cost of living index is 100, matching the national average. This means the $117,720 salary has purchasing power equivalent to the national average.
What is the total workforce size for these occupations in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
There are 2,110 individuals employed in Computer and Mathematical Occupations in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville area.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 2,110 employees in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA area with a job density of 21.336 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Computer and Mathematical Occupations • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA