Public Safety Telecommunicators Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

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

Median annual salary $79,720 +57.1% vs national
Median hourly $38.33
10th percentile $58,750
90th percentile $103,400
Employed locally 110
National median $50,730

Compare Public Safety Telecommunicators salary & buying power

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Public Safety Telecommunicators
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $58,750
    25th
    $63,650
    50th (median)
    $79,720
    75th
    $99,210
    90th
    $103,400

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Public Safety Telecommunicators salary vs area income 73% Median Public Safety Telecommunicators salary is 27% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Public Safety Telecommunicators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $125,310
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $103,110
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $87,870
    Vallejo, CA $87,220
    Napa, CA $84,260
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $83,110

    Nearby metros — Public Safety Telecommunicators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $125,310
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $103,110
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $87,870
    Vallejo, CA $87,220
    Napa, CA $84,260
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $83,110

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Office Clerks, General $48,430
    Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive $55,480
    Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks $60,220
    First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers $74,620
    Customer Service Representatives $47,240
    Receptionists and Information Clerks $40,650

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Public Safety Telecommunicators make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Public Safety Telecommunicators in Santa Cruz, CA is $38.33, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $55.16 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Public Safety Telecommunicators salaries?

    The median Public Safety Telecommunicators salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 57.1% above the national median of $50,730. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Public Safety Telecommunicators in Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Public Safety Telecommunicators (10th percentile) earn around $58,750 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $63,650.