Environmental Engineers Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $106,760 +2.5% vs national
Median hourly $51.33
10th percentile $74,860
90th percentile $170,300
Employed locally 40
National median $104,170

Compare Environmental Engineers salary & buying power

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Environmental Engineers
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $74,860
    25th
    $86,760
    50th (median)
    $106,760
    75th
    $134,870
    90th
    $170,300

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Environmental Engineers salary vs area income 98% Median Environmental Engineers salary is 2% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Environmental Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $142,000
    Southeast-Central Idaho nonmetropolitan area $140,760
    Bend, OR $140,590
    Midland, TX $139,230
    Stockton-Lodi, CA $138,700
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $138,090

    Nearby metros — Environmental Engineers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $142,000
    Stockton-Lodi, CA $138,700
    Redding, CA $137,810
    Vallejo, CA $136,640
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $134,700
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $130,830

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Mechanical Engineers $129,190
    Civil Engineers $116,440
    Engineers, All Other $129,480
    Industrial Engineers $111,970
    Electrical Engineers $127,050
    Architectural and Civil Drafters $64,310

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Environmental Engineers make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Environmental Engineers in Santa Cruz, CA is $51.33, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $100.37 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Environmental Engineers salaries?

    The median Environmental Engineers salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 2.5% above the national median of $104,170. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Environmental Engineers in Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Environmental Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $74,860 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $86,760.