Average Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Yes, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is a highly lucrative market for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographerss. With an average annual salary of $131,730, professionals here earn significantly more than the national norm. Notably, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is a key hub for this profession, with a job concentration 3.57x higher than average.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $131,730 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 38.6% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $172,370.
- Outlook: The current demand for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographerss is stable, with a local workforce of approximately 50 professionals. This role remains a specialized component of the broader Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA economy.
Salary Overview
The average Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA earns+15.5%above the national average.
$63.3
$2,533
$10,978
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers Salary Trends (2020-2024)
Over the past 4 years, Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salaries in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA have experienced a rapid surge, growing by 38.6%. This positive trajectory often correlates with increased demand and a favorable future outlook for the profession.
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers Salary Distribution in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
The earning potential for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographerss 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 $96,320, while highly experienced professionals can command wages upwards of $172,370.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $96,320 | $46.3 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $98,798 | $47.5 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $129,880 | $62.4 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $164,663 | $79.2 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $172,370 | $82.9 |
Detailed Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$131,730
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$131,730
Adjusted for COL (100)
In Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, the Cost of Living Index is 100. This increases your effective purchasing power from $131,730 to $131,730.
Job Market Context
50
Total Jobs
0.522
Per 1K Jobs
3.57
Location Quotient
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA has 3.6x the national concentration of Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.
50 people work as Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA.
Only 0.522 out of every 1,000 local jobs are Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers roles — this is a niche profession in the area.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers Salary | $138,470↑ 5% | 26 mi |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers Salary | $130,690↓ 1% | 58 mi |
Comparing salaries near Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Hiring Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographerss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median annual salary for a Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $131,730. This typically ranges from $96,320 for entry-level positions to $172,370 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 15.5% higher than the national median of $114,010.
Is Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA a good place for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographerss?
Yes, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is an excellent location for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographerss. It offers both higher-than-average salaries ($131,730) and a high concentration of job opportunities. See distinct detailed breakdown below.
Is Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA a good place to live for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers?
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 ($138,470) and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 50 employees in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA area with a job density of 0.522 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA