Paycheck Atlas

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary in Santa Cruz, CA

The median geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA earns $136,120 a year, 34% above the US median. After tax that is roughly $7,898 a month.

10th percentile
$98,590
25th percentile
$114,460
Median percentile
$136,120
75th percentile
$171,250
90th percentile
$195,190

Based on 50 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

$94,776 take-home a year
Gross pay$136,120
Federal income tax−$21,403
Social Security + Medicare−$10,413
California income tax (approx.)−$9,528
Monthly take-home$7,898
Every two weeks$3,645

Does it go far here?

$123,863Median 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 geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers salaries · Take-home pay in California