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

Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

In the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metropolitan area, landscaping and groundskeeping workers earned a median annual wage of $45,200 ($21.73/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $36,500/year and the 90th was $60,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and California tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $37,708 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 109.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$45,200$21.73 per hour · $3,767 monthly
10th Percentile$36,500$17.55/hr base
25th Percentile$38,100$18.32/hr base
75th Percentile$50,100$24.09/hr base
90th Percentile$60,700$29.18/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

$45,200
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$45,200
Net 83%
Fed 7%
CA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$37,708After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,142Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,450Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,244 / yr
California state income tax$791 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,458 / yr

Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers 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 Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CA)
10th Percentile$17.55/hr$3,042$36,500$31,065
25th Percentile$18.32/hr$3,175$38,100$32,287
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$21.73/hr$3,767$45,200$37,708
75th Percentile$24.09/hr$4,175$50,100$41,390
90th Percentile$29.18/hr$5,058$60,700$49,271

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

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$45,200 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 Ratio40.7%of area median income

Compare landscaping and groundskeeping workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in California:

Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers Pay in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

What is the median salary for landscaping and groundskeeping workers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

The official BLS median annual wage for landscaping and groundskeeping workers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $45,200, which equates to approximately $3,767 per month or $21.73 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for landscaping and groundskeeping workers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

The median hourly wage for landscaping and groundskeeping workers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $21.73 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.55/hour and one in ten earned more than $29.18/hour.

What is the pay range for landscaping and groundskeeping workers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

BLS wage estimates for landscaping and groundskeeping workers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA span from $36,500 at the 10th percentile to $38,100 at the 25th, $50,100 at the 75th, and $60,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do landscaping and groundskeeping workers take home after taxes in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

On a median gross salary of $45,200, an estimated $37,708 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,450 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,492 (an effective rate of 16.6%).

How much do landscaping and groundskeeping workers make per month in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

On the median annual salary of $45,200, gross monthly income is $3,767. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,142 per month (or $1,450 every two weeks).

Is $45,200 a good salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

At $45,200, the median salary for landscaping and groundskeeping workers is 40.7% 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.