Human Resources Managers Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

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

Median annual salary $164,790 +17.7% vs national
Median hourly $79.23
10th percentile $93,520
90th percentile —
Employed locally 140
National median $140,030

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Human Resources Managers
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $93,520
    25th
    $126,170
    50th (median)
    $164,790
    75th
    $213,140

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Human Resources Managers salary vs area income 151% Median Human Resources Managers salary is 51% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Human Resources Managers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $220,460
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $206,420
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $180,050
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $178,550
    Massachusetts $176,510
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $176,290

    Nearby metros — Human Resources Managers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $220,460
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $206,420
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $180,050
    California $169,140
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $163,220
    Modesto, CA $162,490

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    General and Operations Managers $108,150
    Sales Managers $100,550
    Medical and Health Services Managers $136,030
    Financial Managers $160,250
    Managers, All Other $162,740
    Computer and Information Systems Managers $190,590

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Human Resources Managers make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Human Resources Managers in Santa Cruz, CA is $79.23, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $131.06 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Human Resources Managers salaries?

    The median Human Resources Managers salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 17.7% above the national median of $140,030. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Human Resources Managers in Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Human Resources Managers (10th percentile) earn around $93,520 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $126,170.