Average Environmental Engineers Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
The average salary for a Environmental Engineers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $116,610. This compensation is in line with national standards, reflecting a balanced and stable local job market. Notably, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is a key hub for this profession, with a job concentration 1.56x higher than average.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $116,610 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 29.3% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $170,300.
- Outlook: The current demand for Environmental Engineerss is stable, with a local workforce of approximately 40 professionals. This role remains a specialized component of the broader Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA economy.
Salary Overview
The average Environmental Engineers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA earns+3.0%above the national average.
$56.1
$2,243
$9,718
Environmental Engineers Salary Trends (2020-2024)
Over the past 4 years, Environmental Engineers salaries in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA have experienced a rapid surge, growing by 29.3%. This positive trajectory often correlates with increased demand and a favorable future outlook for the profession.
Environmental Engineers Salary Distribution in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
The earning potential for Environmental Engineerss in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA varies significantly by experience level. The salary gap is relatively narrow, suggesting consistent and predictable earnings from entry-level to senior positions. Entry-level roles (10th percentile) typically start around $74,860, while highly experienced professionals can command wages upwards of $170,300.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $74,860 | $36 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $87,458 | $42 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $106,760 | $51.3 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $145,763 | $70.1 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $170,300 | $81.9 |
Detailed Environmental Engineers Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$116,610
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$116,610
Adjusted for COL (100)
In Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, the Cost of Living Index is 100. This increases your effective purchasing power from $116,610 to $116,610.
Job Market Context
40
Total Jobs
0.385
Per 1K Jobs
1.56
Location Quotient
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA has 1.6x the national concentration of Environmental Engineers jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.
40 people work as Environmental Engineers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA.
Only 0.385 out of every 1,000 local jobs are Environmental Engineers roles — this is a niche profession in the area.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Environmental Engineers
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Environmental Engineers Salary | $132,950↑ 14% | 26 mi |
| Salinas, CA Environmental Engineers Salary | $118,710↑ 2% | 30 mi |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA Environmental Engineers Salary | $142,400↑ 22% | 58 mi |
Comparing salaries near Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Hiring Environmental Engineerss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Environmental Engineers make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median annual salary for a Environmental Engineers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $116,610. This typically ranges from $74,860 for entry-level positions to $170,300 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 3.0% higher than the national median of $113,240.
Is Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA a good place for Environmental Engineerss?
Yes, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is an excellent location for Environmental Engineerss. It offers both higher-than-average salaries ($116,610) and a high concentration of job opportunities. See distinct detailed breakdown below.
Is Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA a good place to live for Environmental Engineers?
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 ($132,950) 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 40 employees in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA area with a job density of 0.385 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Environmental Engineers • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA