Paycheck Atlas

Computer Programmers salary in Santa Cruz, CA

The median computer programmers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA earns $132,850 a year, 32% above the US median. After tax that is roughly $7,731 a month.

10th percentile
$85,920
25th percentile
$106,750
Median percentile
$132,850
75th percentile
$152,490
90th percentile
$166,430

Based on 90 employed. Data period: BLS OEWS May 2025. Percentiles show the spread of pay, not experience; reading the 25th percentile as "entry level" is only an approximation.

What you keep

$92,769 take-home a year
Gross pay$132,850
Federal income tax−$20,618
Social Security + Medicare−$10,163
California income tax (approx.)−$9,300
Monthly take-home$7,731
Every two weeks$3,568

Does it go far here?

$120,887Median pay in Santa Cruz, CA is worth this at average US prices (local price level 109.9 vs 100).
29%of take-home pay goes to the median rent ($2,264 a month, Census ACS).

Top-paying jobs in Santa Cruz, CA

JobMedian pay
Registered Nurses$170,960
Software Developers$156,910
Sales Managers$117,090
General and Operations Managers$105,360
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$99,260
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$98,810
Accountants and Auditors$84,920
Business Operations Specialists, All Other$84,010

All computer programmers salaries · Take-home pay in California