Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$34,100$16.39 per hour · $2,842 monthlyRun the numbers on your own pay
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Take-Home Pay Explorer
Home Health and Personal Care Aides 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.
| Earning Tier | Hourly Wage | Monthly Gross | Annual Gross | Est. Annual Net (CA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $16.39/hr | $2,842 | $34,100 | $29,233 |
| 25th Percentile | $16.39/hr | $2,842 | $34,100 | $29,233 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $16.39/hr | $2,842 | $34,100 | $29,233 |
| 75th Percentile | $17.45/hr | $3,025 | $36,300 | $30,912 |
| 90th Percentile | $18.75/hr | $3,250 | $39,000 | $32,974 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$34,100 measures up against local economic conditions:
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Compare home health or personal care aides salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in California:
Frequently Asked Questions About Home Health and Personal Care Aides Pay in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
What is the median salary for home health or personal care aides in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The official BLS median annual wage for home health or personal care aides in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $34,100, which equates to approximately $2,842 per month or $16.39 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for home health or personal care aides in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median hourly wage for home health or personal care aides in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $16.39 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.39/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.75/hour.
What is the pay range for home health or personal care aides in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
BLS wage estimates for home health or personal care aides in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA span from $34,100 at the 10th percentile to $34,100 at the 25th, $36,300 at the 75th, and $39,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do home health or personal care aides take home after taxes in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
On a median gross salary of $34,100, an estimated $29,233 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,124 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,867 (an effective rate of 14.3%).
How much do home health or personal care aides make per month in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
On the median annual salary of $34,100, gross monthly income is $2,842. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,436 per month (or $1,124 every two weeks).
Is $34,100 a good salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
At $34,100, the median salary for home health or personal care aides is 30.7% 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.