The average salary for a Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $94,560. 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 1.65x higher than average.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $94,560 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 4.5% ↘ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $149,820.
- Outlook: The current demand for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Healths is stable, with a local workforce of approximately 90 professionals. This role remains a specialized component of the broader Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA economy.
Salary Overview
The average Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA earns+3.3%above the national average.
$45.5
$1,818
$7,880
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health Salary Trends (2020-2024)
Over the past 4 years, Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health salaries in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA have seen a slight adjustment of -4.5%. This positive trajectory often correlates with increased demand and a favorable future outlook for the profession.
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health Salary Distribution in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
The earning potential for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Healths in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA varies significantly by experience level. There is a substantial income gap, with top earners (90th percentile) making over 2.9x the starting salary. This indicates strong career progression opportunities. Entry-level roles (10th percentile) typically start around $51,780, while highly experienced professionals can command wages upwards of $149,820.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $51,780 | $24.9 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $70,920 | $34.1 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $86,680 | $41.7 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $118,200 | $56.8 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $149,820 | $72 |
Detailed Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$94,560
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$94,560
Adjusted for COL (100)
In Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, the Cost of Living Index is 100. This increases your effective purchasing power from $94,560 to $94,560.
Job Market Context
90
Total Jobs
0.908
Per 1K Jobs
1.65
Location Quotient
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA has 1.6x the national concentration of Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.
90 people work as Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA.
Only 0.908 out of every 1,000 local jobs are Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health roles — this is a niche profession in the area.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
Comparing salaries near Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Hiring Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Healths?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median annual salary for a Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $94,560. This typically ranges from $51,780 for entry-level positions to $149,820 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 3.3% higher than the national median of $91,550.
Is Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA a good place for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Healths?
Yes, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is an excellent location for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Healths. It offers both higher-than-average salaries ($94,560) and a high concentration of job opportunities. See distinct detailed breakdown below.
Is Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA a good place to live for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Healths?
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 ($120,760) 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 90 employees in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA area with a job density of 0.908 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 Scientists and Specialists, Including Health • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA