Occupational Health and Safety Specialists Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

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

Median annual salary $90,870 +8.3% vs national
Median hourly $43.69
10th percentile $54,700
90th percentile $151,050
Employed locally 40
National median $83,910

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Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $54,700
    25th
    $79,800
    50th (median)
    $90,870
    75th
    $123,520
    90th
    $151,050

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists salary vs area income 83% Median Occupational Health and Safety Specialists salary is 17% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $132,230
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $125,600
    District of Columbia $115,710
    Niles, MI $113,680
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $113,120
    Lawrence, KS $109,740

    Nearby metros — Occupational Health and Safety Specialists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $132,230
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $125,600
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $101,920
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $101,060
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $100,730
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $100,240

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $79,670
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $144,660
    Urban and Regional Planners $109,000
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $86,680
    Biological Technicians $59,200
    Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers $129,880

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Occupational Health and Safety Specialists make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists in Santa Cruz, CA is $43.69, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $71.43 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists salaries?

    The median Occupational Health and Safety Specialists salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 8.3% above the national median of $83,910. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists in Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Occupational Health and Safety Specialists (10th percentile) earn around $54,700 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $79,800.