SOC 21-1012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors in Santa Cruz, CA is $74,990 per year, 16.6% above the national median of $64,330.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors in Santa Cruz, CA is $74,990 per year, 16.6% above the national median of $64,330. Half of workers earn between $74,990 and $93,700. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $62,600 and the ninetieth at $131,190.
The area has 550 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 5.6 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, El Centro records the highest median at $141,760. Of the 328 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 140th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $62,600 | −2.7% |
| 25th | $74,990 | +16.6% |
| Median (50th) | $74,990 | +16.6% |
| 75th | $93,700 | +45.7% |
| 90th | $131,190 | +103.9% |
| Mean | $85,700 | +33.2% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | El Centro | $141,760 | 200 | |
| 2 | Yuba City | $101,350 | 140 | |
| 3 | Fresno | $101,280 | 1,210 | |
| 4 | Sacramento | $100,930 | 2,730 | |
| 5 | Oxnard | $100,790 | 690 | |
| 6 | Hanford | $100,390 | 110 | |
| 7 | Salinas | $100,360 | 400 | |
| 8 | Napa | $99,900 | 120 | |
| 9 | San Luis Obispo | $99,330 | 390 | |
| 10 | Santa Rosa | $98,480 | 500 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Santa Cruz run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $74,990 buys what $67,742 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 5.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$74,990as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$67,742US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $74,990 a year, 16.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $62,600 to $131,190 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 550 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is El Centro, at $141,760.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors in Santa Cruz, CA?
The median annual wage is $74,990, or $36.05 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $64,330, so pay in Santa Cruz, CA is 16.6% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Santa Cruz, CA earns more than $131,190 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $62,600 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in El Centro, at $141,760 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 550 jobs in this occupation in Santa Cruz, CA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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