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

Cashier Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

In the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metropolitan area, cashiers earned a median annual wage of $36,800 ($17.69/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $34,500/year and the 90th was $48,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and California tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $31,294 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 109.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$36,800$17.69 per hour · $3,067 monthly
10th Percentile$34,500$16.59/hr base
25th Percentile$35,500$17.07/hr base
75th Percentile$42,100$20.24/hr base
90th Percentile$48,600$23.37/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

$36,800
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$36,800
Net 85%
Fed 6%
CA 1%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$31,294After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,608Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,204Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,236 / yr
California state income tax$455 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,815 / yr

Cashiers 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 Cashiers in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CA)
10th Percentile$16.59/hr$2,875$34,500$29,538
25th Percentile$17.07/hr$2,958$35,500$30,302
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.69/hr$3,067$36,800$31,294
75th Percentile$20.24/hr$3,508$42,100$35,341
90th Percentile$23.37/hr$4,050$48,600$40,275

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

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$36,800 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 Ratio33.1%of area median income

Compare cashiers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in California:

Frequently Asked Questions About Cashiers Pay in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

What is the median salary for cashiers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

The official BLS median annual wage for cashiers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $36,800, which equates to approximately $3,067 per month or $17.69 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for cashiers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

The median hourly wage for cashiers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $17.69 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.59/hour and one in ten earned more than $23.37/hour.

What is the pay range for cashiers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

BLS wage estimates for cashiers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA span from $34,500 at the 10th percentile to $35,500 at the 25th, $42,100 at the 75th, and $48,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do cashiers take home after taxes in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

On a median gross salary of $36,800, an estimated $31,294 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,204 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,506 (an effective rate of 15%).

How much do cashiers make per month in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

On the median annual salary of $36,800, gross monthly income is $3,067. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,608 per month (or $1,204 every two weeks).

Is $36,800 a good salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

At $36,800, the median salary for cashiers is 33.1% 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.