Nurse Practitioners Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

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

Median annual salary $159,090 +23.1% vs national
Median hourly $76.49
10th percentile $121,990
90th percentile $204,280
Employed locally 180
National median $129,210

Compare Nurse Practitioners salary & buying power

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Nurse Practitioners
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $121,990
    25th
    $134,210
    50th (median)
    $159,090
    75th
    $193,400
    90th
    $204,280

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Nurse Practitioners salary vs area income 146% Median Nurse Practitioners salary is 46% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Nurse Practitioners

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $225,730
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $220,330
    Napa, CA $216,380
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $171,150
    Vallejo, CA $169,990
    Salinas, CA $168,270

    Nearby metros — Nurse Practitioners salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $225,730
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $220,330
    Napa, CA $216,380
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $171,150
    Vallejo, CA $169,990
    Salinas, CA $168,270

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $178,900
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $79,580
    Pharmacy Technicians $49,420
    Physicians, All Other $305,610
    Dental Hygienists $127,120
    Veterinary Technologists and Technicians $57,080

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Nurse Practitioners make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Nurse Practitioners in Santa Cruz, CA is $76.49, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $105.13 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Nurse Practitioners salaries?

    The median Nurse Practitioners salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 23.1% above the national median of $129,210. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Nurse Practitioners in Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Nurse Practitioners (10th percentile) earn around $121,990 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $134,210.