Cities → Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Cost of living & top-paying careers
Cost of Living
112.8
13% more expensive than the national average
Housing
104.9
5% more expensive than average
Top 15 Highest-Paying Jobs in Santa Cruz-Watsonville
| Occupation | Local Salary | AI Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyers | $192,800 | High Risk 8/10 |
| Natural sciences managers | $191,880 | High Risk 7/10 |
| Computer and information systems managers | $190,590 | High Risk 7/10 |
| Registered nurses | $178,900 | Low Risk 4/10 |
| Architectural and engineering managers | $174,700 | High Risk 7/10 |
| Human resources managers | $164,790 | High Risk 7/10 |
| Computer hardware engineers | $164,620 | High Risk 8/10 |
| Pharmacists | $162,630 | Moderate 5/10 |
| Veterinarians | $161,370 | Low Risk 4/10 |
| Financial managers | $160,250 | High Risk 7/10 |
| Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners | $159,090 | Moderate 5/10 |
| Physician assistants | $154,540 | Moderate 5/10 |
| Diagnostic medical sonographers | $151,980 | Moderate 5/10 |
| Medical scientists | $144,660 | High Risk 7/10 |
| Training and development managers | $141,170 | High Risk 7/10 |
Top AI-Resistant Jobs in Santa Cruz-Watsonville
| Occupation | Local Salary | AI Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Registered nurses | $178,900 | Low Risk 4/10 |
| Veterinarians | $161,370 | Low Risk 4/10 |
| Optometrists | $139,560 | Low Risk 4/10 |
| Occupational therapists | $133,850 | Low Risk 3/10 |
| Physical therapists | $128,370 | Low Risk 3/10 |
| Dental hygienists | $127,120 | Safe 2/10 |
| Police and detectives | $123,140 | Low Risk 4/10 |
| Bus drivers | $80,870 | Low Risk 4/10 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $79,580 | Low Risk 4/10 |
| Electricians | $76,940 | Safe 2/10 |
| Food service managers | $76,140 | Low Risk 4/10 |
| Firefighters | $74,130 | Low Risk 3/10 |
| Carpenters | $72,740 | Safe 2/10 |
| Diesel service technicians and mechanics | $71,150 | Low Risk 3/10 |
| Industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights | $70,150 | Low Risk 3/10 |
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Find Jobs on Job4Migrants →Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive. · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)