Santa Cruz engineer salary
EstimateUpdated March 2025
What engineers earn in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro, with a full breakdown by role.
Typical pay
$128,791
Santa Cruz
Top earners
$190,699
Higher end
vs national
+7% vs national
U.S. $120,395
State
CA
California
Engineers in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro earn an estimated $128,791, +7% vs national, with top earners near $190,699. See the full breakdown by role below, or estimate your own total compensation — the number sharpens as local engineers contribute.
Engineering pay by role in Santa Cruz
Estimated pay for each discipline in Santa Cruz. Filter the list or open a role for the full picture.
| Engineering role | Pay band (10th–90th) | Median | 90th pct | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Manager Architecture & Engineering | $174,700 | $239,200 | Verified | ||
| Software Engineer Software & Technology | $138,740 | $202,940 | Verified | ||
| Data Engineer Emerging | $138,740 | $202,940 | Estimate | ||
| AI Engineer Emerging | $138,740 | $202,940 | Estimate | ||
| Machine Learning Engineer Emerging | $138,740 | $202,940 | Estimate | ||
| Cloud Engineer Emerging | $138,740 | $202,940 | Estimate | ||
| DevOps Engineer Emerging | $138,740 | $202,940 | Estimate | ||
| Systems Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $129,480 | $201,550 | Estimate | ||
| Robotics Engineer Emerging | $129,480 | $201,550 | Estimate | ||
| Entry-Level Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $129,480 | $201,550 | Estimate | ||
| Senior Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $129,480 | $201,550 | Estimate | ||
| Mechanical Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $129,190 | $205,330 | Verified | ||
| Electrical Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $127,050 | $178,590 | Verified | ||
| Civil Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $116,440 | $162,570 | Verified | ||
| Industrial Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $111,970 | $163,040 | Verified | ||
| Environmental Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $106,760 | $170,300 | Verified |
- Verified
Engineering Manager
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$174,700
90th
$239,200
View details - Verified
Software Engineer
Software & Technology
Median
$138,740
90th
$202,940
View details - Estimate
Data Engineer
Emerging
Median
$138,740
90th
$202,940
View details - Estimate
AI Engineer
Emerging
Median
$138,740
90th
$202,940
View details - Estimate
Machine Learning Engineer
Emerging
Median
$138,740
90th
$202,940
View details - Estimate
Cloud Engineer
Emerging
Median
$138,740
90th
$202,940
View details - Estimate
DevOps Engineer
Emerging
Median
$138,740
90th
$202,940
View details - Estimate
Systems Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$129,480
90th
$201,550
View details - Estimate
Robotics Engineer
Emerging
Median
$129,480
90th
$201,550
View details - Estimate
Entry-Level Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$129,480
90th
$201,550
View details - Estimate
Senior Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$129,480
90th
$201,550
View details - Verified
Mechanical Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$129,190
90th
$205,330
View details - Verified
Electrical Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$127,050
90th
$178,590
View details - Verified
Civil Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$116,440
90th
$162,570
View details - Verified
Industrial Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$111,970
90th
$163,040
View details - Verified
Environmental Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$106,760
90th
$170,300
View details
What affects engineering pay in Santa Cruz
- ▹Local market. Santa Cruz pay runs +7% vs national for the typical engineer, usually above the California statewide estimate.
- ▹Industry concentration.A metro's dominant employers (tech, defense, energy, healthcare) shift which engineering disciplines command a premium locally.
- ▹Experience & specialization. Seniority and in-demand skills swing pay well beyond the metro median — see the role table above and the calculator.
- ▹Remote work.Remote offers may anchor to a company's HQ market rather than Santa Cruz, raising or lowering local pay.
Other California metros
Engineer salaries in Santa Cruz — FAQ
How much do engineers make in Santa Cruz?
What is the highest-paying engineering role in Santa Cruz?
How does engineering pay in Santa Cruz compare to the national average?
Source details
BLS publishes no single "engineer" occupation. This blends the published medians of 7 engineering occupations in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, weighted by local employment (1,440 jobs).
Benchmarks come from published government wage data via BLS OEWS. Local and emerging-role figures are labeled estimates. Full methodology →