Social and Human Service Assistants Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

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

Median annual salary $51,590 +14.3% vs national
Median hourly $24.81
10th percentile $42,790
90th percentile $73,610
Employed locally 430
National median $45,120

Compare Social and Human Service Assistants salary & buying power

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Social and Human Service Assistants
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $42,790
    25th
    $47,240
    50th (median)
    $51,590
    75th
    $61,520
    90th
    $73,610

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Social and Human Service Assistants salary vs area income 47% Median Social and Human Service Assistants salary is 53% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Social and Human Service Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $60,230
    Amherst Town-Northampton, MA $59,900
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $59,230
    Modesto, CA $57,330
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $57,220
    District of Columbia $57,210

    Nearby metros — Social and Human Service Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $60,230
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $59,230
    Modesto, CA $57,330
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $57,220
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $56,700
    Napa, CA $55,470

    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
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers$61,310
    Rehabilitation Counselors$50,400
    Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$61,910
    Healthcare Social Workers$93,230

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Social and Human Service Assistants make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Social and Human Service Assistants in Santa Cruz, CA is $24.81, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $35.84 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Social and Human Service Assistants salaries?

    The median Social and Human Service Assistants salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 14.3% above the national median of $45,120. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Social and Human Service Assistants in Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Social and Human Service Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $42,790 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,240.