Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Accountant or Auditor Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

In the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metropolitan area, accountants or auditors earned a median annual wage of $96,300 ($46.30/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $61,300/year and the 90th was $159,300/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and California tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $71,866 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 109.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$96,300$46.30 per hour · $8,025 monthly
10th Percentile$61,300$29.47/hr base
25th Percentile$75,200$36.15/hr base
75th Percentile$124,900$60.05/hr base
90th Percentile$159,300$76.59/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$96,300
$35,000$195,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$96,300
Net 75%
Fed 13%
CA 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$71,866After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,989Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,764Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate25.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$12,356 / yr
California state income tax$4,711 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$7,367 / yr

Accountants and Auditors Wage Percentiles in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Accountants and Auditors in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CA)
10th Percentile$29.47/hr$5,108$61,300$49,717
25th Percentile$36.15/hr$6,267$75,200$58,943
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$46.30/hr$8,025$96,300$71,866
75th Percentile$60.05/hr$10,408$124,900$89,264
90th Percentile$76.59/hr$13,275$159,300$109,578

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$96,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$111,093Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index109.99.9% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio86.7%of area median income

Compare accountants or auditors salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in California:

Frequently Asked Questions About Accountants and Auditors Pay in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

What is the median salary for accountants or auditors in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

The official BLS median annual wage for accountants or auditors in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $96,300, which equates to approximately $8,025 per month or $46.30 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for accountants or auditors in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

The median hourly wage for accountants or auditors in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $46.30 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $29.47/hour and one in ten earned more than $76.59/hour.

What is the pay range for accountants or auditors in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

BLS wage estimates for accountants or auditors in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA span from $61,300 at the 10th percentile to $75,200 at the 25th, $124,900 at the 75th, and $159,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do accountants or auditors take home after taxes in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

On a median gross salary of $96,300, an estimated $71,866 lands in net take-home pay per year ($2,764 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $24,434 (an effective rate of 25.4%).

How much do accountants or auditors make per month in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

On the median annual salary of $96,300, gross monthly income is $8,025. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $5,989 per month (or $2,764 every two weeks).

Is $96,300 a good salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

At $96,300, the median salary for accountants or auditors is 86.7% of the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA median household income ($111,093). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 109.9, making regional consumer goods and services 9.9% more expensive than the U.S. average.