Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$42,900$20.63 per hour · $3,575 monthlyRun the numbers on your own pay
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Take-Home Pay Explorer
Security Guards 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 | $17.16/hr | $2,975 | $35,700 | $30,454 |
| 25th Percentile | $17.74/hr | $3,075 | $36,900 | $31,370 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $20.63/hr | $3,575 | $42,900 | $35,951 |
| 75th Percentile | $22.31/hr | $3,867 | $46,400 | $38,624 |
| 90th Percentile | $27.60/hr | $4,783 | $57,400 | $46,817 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$42,900 measures up against local economic conditions:
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Compare security guards salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in California:
Frequently Asked Questions About Security Guards Pay in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
What is the median salary for security guards in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The official BLS median annual wage for security guards in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $42,900, which equates to approximately $3,575 per month or $20.63 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for security guards in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median hourly wage for security guards in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $20.63 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.16/hour and one in ten earned more than $27.60/hour.
What is the pay range for security guards in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
BLS wage estimates for security guards in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA span from $35,700 at the 10th percentile to $36,900 at the 25th, $46,400 at the 75th, and $57,400 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do security guards take home after taxes in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
On a median gross salary of $42,900, an estimated $35,951 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,383 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,949 (an effective rate of 16.2%).
How much do security guards make per month in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
On the median annual salary of $42,900, gross monthly income is $3,575. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,996 per month (or $1,383 every two weeks).
Is $42,900 a good salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
At $42,900, the median salary for security guards is 38.6% 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.