Health Education Specialists Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

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

Median annual salary $78,800 +25.1% vs national
Median hourly $37.88
10th percentile $48,390
90th percentile $101,550
Employed locally 60
National median $63,000

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Health Education Specialists
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $48,390
    25th
    $61,310
    50th (median)
    $78,800
    75th
    $91,480
    90th
    $101,550

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Health Education Specialists salary vs area income 72% Median Health Education Specialists salary is 28% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Health Education Specialists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $121,890
    District of Columbia $110,620
    Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA $109,260
    Maryland $101,090
    Georgia $97,010
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $88,370

    Nearby metros — Health Education Specialists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA $82,430
    Vallejo, CA $81,470
    Merced, CA $77,090
    Lancaster, PA $76,990
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $75,680
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $73,170

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $83,300
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $58,310
    Social and Human Service Assistants $51,590
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $61,310
    Rehabilitation Counselors $50,400
    Healthcare Social Workers $93,230

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Health Education Specialists make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Health Education Specialists in Santa Cruz, CA is $37.88, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $50.38 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Health Education Specialists salaries?

    The median Health Education Specialists salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 25.1% above the national median of $63,000. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Health Education Specialists in Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Health Education Specialists (10th percentile) earn around $48,390 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $61,310.