Average Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA area earn an average annual salary of $48,500. This figure significantly surpasses the national average of $40,600, indicating a premium for these roles within this specific California locale. Factors such as the region's climate, demand for aesthetic outdoor spaces, and potentially higher operational costs likely contribute to this elevated compensation.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $48,500 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 21.2% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $63,100.
- Outlook: The Santa Cruz-Watsonville region supports a local workforce of 1,020 Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers, with 10.318 jobs per 1,000 workers. The Location Quotient of 1.69 suggests a notably higher concentration of these jobs compared to the national average, signaling robust local demand and a potentially stable job market for professionals in this field.
Salary Overview
The average Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA earns+19.5%above the national average.
$23.3
$933
$4,042
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data is not provided, it is reasonable to assume that salaries for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville have experienced steady growth over the past four years, mirroring national trends. Increased demand for outdoor maintenance, coupled with rising costs of living and labor, likely contributed to incremental salary increases, ensuring compensation remains competitive within the region.
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers Salary Distribution in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Career progression in landscaping and groundskeeping typically involves a salary increase with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned professionals with specialized skills or supervisory responsibilities can command significantly higher salaries. The percentile gaps in earnings reflect this scaling, with senior roles often falling into the higher salary percentiles, signifying substantial career advancement opportunities.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| ApprenticeLearning trade under supervision. Classroom + OJT. | 10% (Entry) | $36,220 | $17.4 |
| JourneymanLicensed/Certified. Works independently on standard tasks. | 25% (Junior) | $36,375 | $17.5 |
| Senior TechnicianHandles complex installations & troubleshooting. | 50% (Median) | $46,590 | $22.4 |
| Foreman / MasterSupervises crews, handles permits & code compliance. | 75% (Senior) | $60,625 | $29.1 |
| SuperintendentSite management, business owner, or master tradesman. | 90% (Expert) | $63,100 | $30.3 |
Detailed Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$48,500
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$48,500
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $48,500 in Santa Cruz-Watsonville aligns precisely with the national average cost of living index of 100. This means that while the nominal salary is higher than the national average, the purchasing power of that salary is comparable to the national standard. Therefore, relocating to Santa Cruz-Watsonville for this role offers a salary that effectively matches the cost of living, without a significant immediate financial advantage or disadvantage.
Job Market Context
1,020
Total Jobs
10.318
Per 1K Jobs
1.69
Location Quotient
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA has 1.7x the national concentration of Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.
With a Location Quotient of 1.69, Santa Cruz-Watsonville exhibits a concentration of Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers that is 69% higher than the national average. This indicates a more competitive or abundant job market for these professionals compared to other regions, suggesting that employers may have a larger pool of candidates to choose from, or that the industry itself is a more significant component of the local economy.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers Salary | $52,590↑ 8% | 26 mi |
| Salinas, CA Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers Salary | $46,680↓ 4% | 30 mi |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers Salary | $53,560↑ 10% | 58 mi |
| Modesto, CA Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers Salary | $46,150↓ 5% | 73 mi |
| Vallejo, CA Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers Salary | $46,010↓ 5% | 79 mi |
Comparing salaries near Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Hiring Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workerss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median annual salary for a Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $48,500. This typically ranges from $36,220 for entry-level positions to $63,100 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 19.5% higher than the national median of $40,600.
Is Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA a lucrative place for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workerss?
Yes, with caveats.The average salary of $48,500 is notably higher than the national average, but the cost of living is also at the national average. This means the higher pay is offset by comparable living expenses.
Is Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA a good place to live for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers?
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 ($52,590) and Salinas, CA.
How does the Santa Cruz-Watsonville salary compare to the national average?
The average annual salary for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville is $48,500, which is $7,900 higher than the national average of $40,600.
What is the significance of the Location Quotient (LQ) in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
An LQ of 1.69 indicates that Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers are 69% more concentrated in Santa Cruz-Watsonville than the national average, suggesting higher local demand or a more prominent industry presence.
Does the cost of living affect the perceived value of the salary?
The cost of living index in Santa Cruz-Watsonville is 100, which is the national average. Therefore, the higher nominal salary of $48,500 has a purchasing power equivalent to the national average.
How many Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers are employed in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
There are approximately 1,020 Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers employed 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 1,020 employees in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA area with a job density of 10.318 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA