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

Janitor Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

In the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metropolitan area, janitors earned a median annual wage of $40,800 ($19.62/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $35,300/year and the 90th was $58,500/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and California tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $34,348 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 109.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$40,800$19.62 per hour · $3,400 monthly
10th Percentile$35,300$16.97/hr base
25th Percentile$36,600$17.60/hr base
75th Percentile$47,900$23.03/hr base
90th Percentile$58,500$28.13/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

$40,800
$15,000$85,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$40,800
Net 84%
Fed 7%
CA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$34,348After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,862Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,321Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,716 / yr
California state income tax$615 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,121 / yr

Janitors and Cleaners 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 Janitors and Cleaners in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CA)
10th Percentile$16.97/hr$2,942$35,300$30,149
25th Percentile$17.60/hr$3,050$36,600$31,141
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$19.62/hr$3,400$40,800$34,348
75th Percentile$23.03/hr$3,992$47,900$39,754
90th Percentile$28.13/hr$4,875$58,500$47,635

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

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$40,800 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 Ratio36.7%of area median income

Compare janitors salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in California:

Frequently Asked Questions About Janitors and Cleaners Pay in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

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

The official BLS median annual wage for janitors in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $40,800, which equates to approximately $3,400 per month or $19.62 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

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

The median hourly wage for janitors in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $19.62 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.97/hour and one in ten earned more than $28.13/hour.

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

BLS wage estimates for janitors in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA span from $35,300 at the 10th percentile to $36,600 at the 25th, $47,900 at the 75th, and $58,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

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

On a median gross salary of $40,800, an estimated $34,348 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,321 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,452 (an effective rate of 15.8%).

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

On the median annual salary of $40,800, gross monthly income is $3,400. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,862 per month (or $1,321 every two weeks).

Is $40,800 a good salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

At $40,800, the median salary for janitors is 36.7% 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.