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

Construction Laborer Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

In the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metropolitan area, construction laborers earned a median annual wage of $59,800 ($28.75/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $40,600/year and the 90th was $92,900/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and California tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $48,602 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 109.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$59,800$28.75 per hour · $4,983 monthly
10th Percentile$40,600$19.52/hr base
25th Percentile$47,800$22.98/hr base
75th Percentile$77,900$37.45/hr base
90th Percentile$92,900$44.66/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

$59,800
$20,000$120,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$59,800
Net 81%
Fed 8%
CA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$48,602After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,050Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,869Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,996 / yr
California state income tax$1,628 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,575 / yr

Construction Laborers 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 Construction Laborers in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CA)
10th Percentile$19.52/hr$3,383$40,600$34,195
25th Percentile$22.98/hr$3,983$47,800$39,680
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$28.75/hr$4,983$59,800$48,602
75th Percentile$37.45/hr$6,492$77,900$60,626
90th Percentile$44.66/hr$7,742$92,900$69,790

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

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$59,800 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 Ratio53.8%of area median income

Compare construction laborers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in California:

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

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

The official BLS median annual wage for construction laborers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $59,800, which equates to approximately $4,983 per month or $28.75 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

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

The median hourly wage for construction laborers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $28.75 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $19.52/hour and one in ten earned more than $44.66/hour.

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

BLS wage estimates for construction laborers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA span from $40,600 at the 10th percentile to $47,800 at the 25th, $77,900 at the 75th, and $92,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

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

On a median gross salary of $59,800, an estimated $48,602 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,869 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $11,198 (an effective rate of 18.7%).

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

On the median annual salary of $59,800, gross monthly income is $4,983. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $4,050 per month (or $1,869 every two weeks).

Is $59,800 a good salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

At $59,800, the median salary for construction laborers is 53.8% 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.