Urban and Regional Planners Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

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

Median annual salary $109,000 +30.2% vs national
Median hourly $52.40
10th percentile $80,400
90th percentile $165,690
Employed locally 90
National median $83,720

Compare Urban and Regional Planners salary & buying power

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Urban and Regional Planners
in
Santa Cruz, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $80,400
    25th
    $98,410
    50th (median)
    $109,000
    75th
    $126,770
    90th
    $165,690

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Urban and Regional Planners salary vs area income 100% Median Urban and Regional Planners salary is 0% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Urban and Regional Planners

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $133,380
    District of Columbia $129,750
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $129,400
    Vallejo, CA $122,550
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $121,940
    Napa, CA $121,750

    Nearby metros — Urban and Regional Planners salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $133,380
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $129,400
    Vallejo, CA $122,550
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $121,940
    Napa, CA $121,750
    Modesto, CA $106,380

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$79,670
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$144,660
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$86,680
    Biological Technicians$59,200
    Biological Scientists, All Other$93,650
    Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers$129,880

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Urban and Regional Planners make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Urban and Regional Planners in Santa Cruz, CA is $52.40, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $78.71 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Urban and Regional Planners salaries?

    The median Urban and Regional Planners salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 30.2% above the national median of $83,720. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Urban and Regional Planners in Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Urban and Regional Planners (10th percentile) earn around $80,400 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $98,410.