In the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metropolitan area, Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand earn an average annual salary of $44,140. This figure slightly surpasses the national average of $41,390, suggesting a localized premium for these essential roles. The specific economic landscape and demand within this region likely contribute to this elevated compensation.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $44,140 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 17.1% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $55,100.
- Outlook: With a local workforce of 1,160 individuals in this occupation and a Location Quotient of 0.61, the Santa Cruz-Watsonville area exhibits a slightly lower concentration of these movers compared to the national average. While not a hub of extreme demand, the presence of over 11 jobs per 1,000 workers indicates a stable and consistent need for freight, stock, and material movers within the local economy.
Salary Overview
The average Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA earns+6.6%above the national average.
$21.2
$849
$3,678
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for this precise role in Santa Cruz-Watsonville is not provided, it is reasonable to assume a general upward trend in wages for laborers and material movers over the past four years, mirroring national economic patterns. Factors such as inflation, increased demand for logistics services, and a competitive labor market typically drive salary growth in such occupations.
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Salary Distribution in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Career progression for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand typically involves gaining experience and specialized skills. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned professionals with extensive experience and a proven track record can command significantly higher salaries, often reaching into the upper percentiles. The salary distribution reflects these opportunities for advancement.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| ApprenticeLearning trade under supervision. Classroom + OJT. | 10% (Entry) | $36,270 | $17.4 |
| JourneymanLicensed/Certified. Works independently on standard tasks. | 25% (Junior) | $33,105 | $15.9 |
| Senior TechnicianHandles complex installations & troubleshooting. | 50% (Median) | $41,170 | $19.8 |
| Foreman / MasterSupervises crews, handles permits & code compliance. | 75% (Senior) | $55,175 | $26.5 |
| SuperintendentSite management, business owner, or master tradesman. | 90% (Expert) | $55,100 | $26.5 |
Detailed Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$44,140
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$44,140
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $44,140 in Santa Cruz-Watsonville aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of a mover's salary in this region is comparable to the national average, offering stability for those considering relocation without the immediate pressure of a significantly higher or lower cost of living.
Job Market Context
1,160
Total Jobs
11.796
Per 1K Jobs
0.61
Location Quotient
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA has 0.61x the national average concentration of Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand 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 0.61 indicates that the Santa Cruz-Watsonville metropolitan area has a lower concentration of Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand relative to the national average. This suggests that while the occupation is present and necessary, it is not a dominant sector within the local job market, implying a potentially less saturated but still active employment landscape for these professionals.
Nearby Job Markets
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Comparing salaries near Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median annual salary for a Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $44,140. This typically ranges from $36,270 for entry-level positions to $55,100 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 6.6% higher than the national median of $41,390.
Is Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA a lucrative place for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hands?
Yes, moderately so.The average salary of $44,140 slightly exceeds the national average, and the cost of living is on par with the national average, offering stable purchasing power.
Is Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA a good place to live for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hands?
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 ($49,760) and Salinas, CA.
How does the Santa Cruz-Watsonville mover salary compare to the national average?
The average annual salary for movers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville is $44,140, which is higher than the national average of $41,390.
What is the cost of living in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The Cost of Living Index for Santa Cruz-Watsonville is 100, which is exactly the national average.
How concentrated is the mover job market in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
The job market concentration, measured by the Location Quotient, is 0.61, indicating a lower concentration of these jobs compared to the national average.
What is the total number of movers in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville workforce?
There are approximately 1,160 individuals employed as Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville metropolitan area.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 1,160 employees in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA area with a job density of 11.796 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA