Average Data Scientists Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
The average salary for a Data Scientists in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $125,360. This compensation is in line with national standards, reflecting a balanced and stable local job market.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $125,360 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 1.4% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $208,300.
- Outlook: The current demand for Data Scientistss is stable, with a local workforce of approximately 110 professionals. This role remains a specialized component of the broader Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA economy.
Salary Overview
The average Data Scientists in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA earns-0.5%below the national average.
$60.3
$2,411
$10,447
Data Scientists Salary Trends (2020-2024)
Over the past 3 years, Data Scientists salaries in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA have remained stable with a modest increase of 1.4%. This positive trajectory often correlates with increased demand and a favorable future outlook for the profession.
Data Scientists Salary Distribution in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
The earning potential for Data Scientistss in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA varies significantly by experience level. There is a substantial income gap, with top earners (90th percentile) making over 3.1x the starting salary. This indicates strong career progression opportunities. Entry-level roles (10th percentile) typically start around $68,210, while highly experienced professionals can command wages upwards of $208,300.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $68,210 | $32.8 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $94,020 | $45.2 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $116,480 | $56 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $156,700 | $75.3 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $208,300 | $100.1 |
Detailed Data Scientists Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$125,360
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$125,360
Adjusted for COL (100)
In Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, the Cost of Living Index is 100. This increases your effective purchasing power from $125,360 to $125,360.
Job Market Context
110
Total Jobs
1.066
Per 1K Jobs
0.7
Location Quotient
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA has 0.70x the national average concentration of Data Scientists jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.
110 people work as Data Scientists in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA.
1.066 out of every 1,000 local jobs are Data Scientists positions — a typical concentration.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Data Scientists
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Data Scientists Salary | $225,590↑ 80% | 26 mi |
| Salinas, CA Data Scientists Salary | $109,140↓ 13% | 30 mi |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA Data Scientists Salary | $164,690↑ 31% | 58 mi |
| Modesto, CA Data Scientists Salary | $96,130↓ 23% | 73 mi |
| Vallejo, CA Data Scientists Salary | $117,650↓ 6% | 79 mi |
Comparing salaries near Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Hiring Data Scientistss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Data Scientists make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median annual salary for a Data Scientists in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $125,360. This typically ranges from $68,210 for entry-level positions to $208,300 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 0.5% lower than the national median of $126,010.
Is Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA a good place for Data Scientistss?
It depends on your priorities. While the average Data Scientists salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $125,360 (below the national average), the area may offer a lower cost of living or other lifestyle benefits typical of Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA. See distinct detailed breakdown below.
Is Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA a good place to live for Data Scientists?
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 ($225,590) and Salinas, CA.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 110 employees in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA area with a job density of 1.066 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Data Scientists • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA