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

Nursing Assistant Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

In the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metropolitan area, nursing assistants earned a median annual wage of $47,300 ($22.74/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $39,800/year and the 90th was $60,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and California tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $39,308 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 109.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$47,300$22.74 per hour · $3,942 monthly
10th Percentile$39,800$19.13/hr base
25th Percentile$45,500$21.88/hr base
75th Percentile$54,400$26.15/hr base
90th Percentile$60,600$29.13/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

$47,300
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$47,300
Net 83%
Fed 7%
CA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$39,308After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,276Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,512Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,496 / yr
California state income tax$878 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,618 / yr

Nursing Assistants 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 Nursing Assistants in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CA)
10th Percentile$19.13/hr$3,317$39,800$33,585
25th Percentile$21.88/hr$3,792$45,500$37,937
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$22.74/hr$3,942$47,300$39,308
75th Percentile$26.15/hr$4,533$54,400$44,587
90th Percentile$29.13/hr$5,050$60,600$49,197

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

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$47,300 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 Ratio42.6%of area median income

Compare nursing assistants salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in California:

Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing Assistants Pay in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

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

The official BLS median annual wage for nursing assistants in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $47,300, which equates to approximately $3,942 per month or $22.74 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

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

The median hourly wage for nursing assistants in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $22.74 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $19.13/hour and one in ten earned more than $29.13/hour.

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

BLS wage estimates for nursing assistants in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA span from $39,800 at the 10th percentile to $45,500 at the 25th, $54,400 at the 75th, and $60,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

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

On a median gross salary of $47,300, an estimated $39,308 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,512 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,992 (an effective rate of 16.9%).

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

On the median annual salary of $47,300, gross monthly income is $3,942. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,276 per month (or $1,512 every two weeks).

Is $47,300 a good salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

At $47,300, the median salary for nursing assistants is 42.6% 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.