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

Light Truck Driver Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

In the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metropolitan area, light truck drivers earned a median annual wage of $46,400 ($22.31/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $36,500/year and the 90th was $92,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and California tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $38,624 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 109.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$46,400$22.31 per hour · $3,867 monthly
10th Percentile$36,500$17.55/hr base
25th Percentile$41,800$20.10/hr base
75th Percentile$56,400$27.12/hr base
90th Percentile$92,600$44.52/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

$46,400
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$46,400
Net 83%
Fed 7%
CA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$38,624After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,219Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,486Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,388 / yr
California state income tax$839 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,550 / yr

Light Truck Drivers 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 Light Truck Drivers 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$20.10/hr$3,483$41,800$35,112
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$22.31/hr$3,867$46,400$38,624
75th Percentile$27.12/hr$4,700$56,400$46,074
90th Percentile$44.52/hr$7,717$92,600$69,607

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

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$46,400 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 Ratio41.8%of area median income

Compare light truck drivers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in California:

Frequently Asked Questions About Light Truck Drivers Pay in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

What is the median salary for light truck drivers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

The official BLS median annual wage for light truck drivers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $46,400, which equates to approximately $3,867 per month or $22.31 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for light truck drivers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

The median hourly wage for light truck drivers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $22.31 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.55/hour and one in ten earned more than $44.52/hour.

What is the pay range for light truck drivers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

BLS wage estimates for light truck drivers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA span from $36,500 at the 10th percentile to $41,800 at the 25th, $56,400 at the 75th, and $92,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do light truck drivers take home after taxes in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

On a median gross salary of $46,400, an estimated $38,624 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,486 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,776 (an effective rate of 16.8%).

How much do light truck drivers make per month in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

On the median annual salary of $46,400, gross monthly income is $3,867. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,219 per month (or $1,486 every two weeks).

Is $46,400 a good salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

At $46,400, the median salary for light truck drivers is 41.8% 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.