Paycheck Atlas

Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health salary in Santa Cruz, CA

The median environmental scientists and specialists, including health in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA earns $103,610 a year, 26% above the US median. After tax that is roughly $6,206 a month.

10th percentile
$67,930
25th percentile
$78,500
Median percentile
$103,610
75th percentile
$131,010
90th percentile
$161,910

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

$74,467 take-home a year
Gross pay$103,610
Federal income tax−$13,964
Social Security + Medicare−$7,926
California income tax (approx.)−$7,253
Monthly take-home$6,206
Every two weeks$2,864

Does it go far here?

$94,280Median pay in Santa Cruz, CA is worth this at average US prices (local price level 109.9 vs 100).
36%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 environmental scientists and specialists, including health salaries · Take-home pay in California