Salary Guide
Know your worth before you negotiate. Local salary data for common jobs in the 831 area.
Salary Research Tools
Use these sites to research salaries for specific companies and roles.
Glassdoor Salaries
Salary data by company and job title. User-reported.
Indeed Salaries
Average salaries by job title and location.
PayScale
Detailed salary reports based on your experience.
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Official government salary and employment data. Most reliable.
Levels.fyi
Detailed tech industry salaries by level and company.
Monterey Bay Salary Ranges
Estimated salary ranges for common jobs in the 831 area. Actual pay varies by experience, company, and location.
| Job Title | Hourly Range | Annual Range |
|---|---|---|
Agricultural Worker Seasonal work, overtime common | $16 - $22 | $33,000 - $46,000 |
Food Processing | $16 - $21 | $33,000 - $44,000 |
Hospitality (Hotel) Tourism season peaks summer | $17 - $24 | $35,000 - $50,000 |
Registered Nurse (RN) | $46 - $65 | $96,000 - $135,000 |
Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) | $27 - $37 | $56,000 - $77,000 |
Administrative Assistant | $17 - $24 | $35,000 - $50,000 |
Tech (Entry Level) Santa Cruz tech scene growing | $22 - $35 | $46,000 - $73,000 |
Teacher (K-12) Varies by district | — | $52,000 - $90,000 |
Retail Sales | $16 - $20 | $33,000 - $42,000 |
Construction Worker | $20 - $32 | $42,000 - $67,000 |
* Estimates based on local job postings and industry data. Last updated: November 2024
Salary Negotiation Tips
Never give the first number
When asked about salary expectations, try: "I'd like to learn more about the role first. What range do you have budgeted?"
Know your market value
Research salaries before the interview. Use the tools above to find what similar roles pay locally.
Negotiate after the offer
Don't discuss salary until you have a written offer. That's when you have the most leverage.
Consider total compensation
Health insurance, 401k matching, PTO, and flexibility all have value. A lower salary with great benefits might be worth more.
Practice your ask
"Based on my research and experience, I was expecting something in the range of $X to $Y. Is there flexibility?"
Get it in writing
Verbal offers mean nothing. Always get the final offer in writing before accepting.