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Average Urban and Regional Planners Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Yes, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is a highly lucrative market for Urban and Regional Plannerss. With an average annual salary of $114,510, 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 3.33x higher than average.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $114,510 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 17.6% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $165,690.
  • Outlook: The current demand for Urban and Regional Plannerss is stable, with a local workforce of approximately 90 professionals. This role remains a specialized component of the broader Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA economy.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$114,510

The average Urban and Regional Planners in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA earns+19.2%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$55.1

Weekly

$2,202

Monthly

$9,543

Urban and Regional Planners Salary Distribution in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

The earning potential for Urban and Regional Plannerss 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 $80,400, while highly experienced professionals can command wages upwards of $165,690.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$80,400$38.7
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$85,883$41.3
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$109,000$52.4
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$143,138$68.8
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$165,690$79.7

Detailed Urban and Regional Planners Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$114,510

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$114,510

Adjusted for COL (100)

In Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, the Cost of Living Index is 100. This increases your effective purchasing power from $114,510 to $114,510.

Job Market Context

90

Total Jobs

0.931

Per 1K Jobs

3.33

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA has 3.3x the national concentration of Urban and Regional Planners 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 Urban and Regional Planners in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA.

Only 0.931 out of every 1,000 local jobs are Urban and Regional Planners roles — this is a niche profession in the area.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Urban and Regional Planners

CitySalaryDist.
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Urban and Regional Planners Salary$136,980↑ 20%26 mi
Salinas, CA Urban and Regional Planners Salary$110,290↓ 4%30 mi
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA Urban and Regional Planners Salary$129,740↑ 13%58 mi
Modesto, CA Urban and Regional Planners Salary$114,870↑ 0%73 mi
Vallejo, CA Urban and Regional Planners Salary$113,710↓ 1%79 mi

Comparing salaries near Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Hiring Urban and Regional Plannerss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Urban and Regional Planners make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

The median annual salary for a Urban and Regional Planners in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $114,510. This typically ranges from $80,400 for entry-level positions to $165,690 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 19.2% higher than the national median of $96,050.

Is Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA a good place for Urban and Regional Plannerss?

Yes, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is an excellent location for Urban and Regional Plannerss. It offers both higher-than-average salaries ($114,510) and a high concentration of job opportunities. See distinct detailed breakdown below.

Is Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA a good place to live for Urban and Regional Planners?

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 ($136,980) 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 0.931 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Top Jobs in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Semantic Salary Analysis for Urban and Regional Planners • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA