City Town Info

Santa Cruz Employment

Employment and Industries in the Santa Cruz, California Area

The Santa Cruz economy is powered by tourism, agriculture, high technology and education. Santa Cruz is a prominent organic agriculture area and includes the headquarters of California Certified Organic Farmers. Tourism is a significant factor for the economy due to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the popular beaches, the nearby redwood forests and Monterey Bay.

Management, professional and related occupations provide about 42% of the jobs in Santa Cruz. About 22% of the jobs are in sales and office occupations. Approximately 20% of the workforce is employed by the government.

Some of the most popular occupations in the Santa Cruz metro area where the majority of the workers are college graduates are registered nurses, teachers, sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing; financial managers and network systems and data communications analysts. Other jobs in this category include child, family and school social workers; sales managers, social and human service assistants, computer applications software engineers, computer programmers and computer systems software engineers.

Noteworthy data about Santa Cruz: The cost of living index in 2008 was 195.7 which is very high when compared to the national average of 100. Regarding the population more than 25 years of age, about 44% have earned a bachelor's degree or higher. The average earnings in Santa Cruz in 2009 was $39,000.

The primary employers in Santa Cruz are:

  • Dominican Hospital - Hospitals
  • Plantronics - Telephone equipment manufacturer
  • Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - Amusement & Theme Parks
  • Santa Cruz County Council - Government offices
  • Santa Cruz County Sheriff Dept - Sheriff
  • Santa Cruz Governmental Center - Government Offices
  • Santa Cruz Health Center - Clinics
  • Santa Cruz Medical Foundation - Physicians & surgeons
  • Sierra Club - Santa Cruz County - Environmental organizations
  • University of California - Santa Cruz - Education
  • US Health & Human Services Dept - Government
  • Santa Cruz Biotechnology - Biotechnology
  • Giro Bicycle Helmets
  • O'Neill Wetsuits
  • O'Neill Surf Shops
  • The Santa Cruz Guitar Company
  • Santa Cruz Skateboards
  • Kestrel Bicycles
  • Santa Cruz Mountain Bikes
  • Ventui International - Optical instruments & lenses manufacturer
  • Cruzio
  • Fullpower Technologies

The primary sectors for jobs in Santa Cruz are:

  • Education
  • Healthcare
  • Professional, scientific and technical services
  • Accommodation and food services
  • Construction
  • Arts, entertainment and recreation

Business organizations which provide assistance to Santa Cruz companies include:

The Santa Cruz Sentinel offers up-to-date information regarding the business activities in Santa Cruz.

Most Popular Jobs in Santa Cruz, California Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Registered nurses1,30088,010$55,840 - 125,76024%56%
2Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education1,21062,680$41,570 - 87,0506%96%
3Teachers and instructors, all other1,13052,690$29,520 - 80,4009%54%
4Elementary school teachers, except special education99053,630$34,850 - 75,78014%95%
5Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products89068,430$28,340 - 125,5708%51%
6Accountants and auditors58063,120$42,860 - 84,31018%79%
7Management analysts43082,230$45,340 - 120,77022%78%
8Financial managers37091,250$56,380 - 141,68013%60%
9Mental health and substance abuse social workers34051,390$28,900 - 76,88030%77%
10Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education33051,370$36,590 - 70,39011%95%
11Network systems and data communications analysts31066,230$23,740 - 102,94053%57%
12Child, family, and school social workers30047,850$28,800 - 68,16019%77%
13Self-enrichment education teachers29037,620$25,860 - 63,35023%54%
14Sales managers290102,430$47,300 - 10%69%
15Social and human service assistants28033,860$20,120 - 58,56034%58%
16Lawyers260127,910$65,930 - 11%99%
17Computer software engineers, applications26080,710$46,830 - 120,85045%85%
18Computer programmers25071,900$42,360 - 106,7300%73%
19Computer software engineers, systems software250100,510$67,570 - 150,94028%85%
20Public relations specialists25043,150$21,100 - 72,58018%81%
21Marketing managers220131,600$69,220 - 14%69%
22Medical and health services managers22092,000$56,380 - 132,29016%57%
23Managers, all other210102,840$58,610 - 157,3407%55%
24Health educators20044,580$29,520 - 65,52026%58%
25Education administrators, elementary and secondary school200102,500$73,290 - 134,7308%78%
26Coaches and scouts18043,390$20,820 - 75,12015%60%
27Instructional coordinators17070,240$41,370 - 101,93023%79%
28Chief executives170166,850$88,940 - 2%65%
29Pharmacists160126,170$110,390 - 156,54022%97%
30Computer systems analysts16077,240$51,680 - 105,68029%68%
31Computer and information systems managers150121,150$72,490 - 16%73%
32Graphic designers15049,710$32,980 - 66,31010%55%
33Civil engineers15083,560$56,130 - 121,15018%87%
34Computer hardware engineers140103,120$57,280 - 159,7205%70%
35Network and computer systems administrators14074,910$44,990 - 125,05027%50%
36Education, training, and library workers, all other14033,170$21,880 - 51,29011%79%
37Social and community service managers13067,920$44,800 - 110,57025%72%
38Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers13067,640$44,680 - 92,44022%93%
39Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products12070,500$42,720 - 107,36012%51%
40Sales and related workers, all other12035,610$18,980 - 58,74014%62%
41Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists12066,290$43,640 - 100,84016%99%
42Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents110101,030$37,450 - 25%67%
43Environmental scientists and specialists, including health11060,220$35,620 - 85,42025%93%
44Market research analysts11069,880$42,980 - 102,70020%82%
45Electrical engineers100111,000$63,340 - 160,4506%81%
46Medical and clinical laboratory technicians10040,920$33,130 - 56,56015%51%
47Urban and regional planners10073,720$35,520 - 108,26015%92%
48Mechanical engineers10092,000$56,770 - 135,7604%78%
49Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other9058,950$33,800 - 81,97017%56%
50Veterinarians90100,430$51,320 - 35%100%
51Biological technicians9039,700$27,780 - 51,56016%60%
52Personal financial advisors9083,550$32,460 - 41%81%
53Advertising sales agents9054,020$29,130 - 80,76020%56%
54Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists9053,440$33,730 - 86,14018%56%
55Special education teachers, secondary school9068,150$47,240 - 88,9609%87%
56Engineering managers90139,860$91,480 - 7%84%
57Medical and public health social workers9050,010$29,030 - 76,42024%77%
58Physical therapists8077,280$59,360 - 99,15027%89%
59Librarians7063,900$44,590 - 84,9704%85%
60Meeting and convention planners7031,800$18,690 - 51,86020%67%
61Tax preparers7039,450$22,660 - 53,5500%54%
62Education administrators, preschool and child care center/program6048,250$25,690 - 75,29024%78%
63Musicians and singers60 $ - 10%53%
64Database administrators6068,470$31,700 - 108,86029%72%
65Sales engineers5094,930$67,200 - 160,9009%79%
66Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation5052,310$37,010 - 70,5505%58%
67Mental health counselors5042,440$23,270 - 67,89030%73%
68Training and development specialists5058,870$40,770 - 78,65018%56%
69Financial analysts5077,410$43,540 - 131,49034%87%
70Speech-language pathologists5069,830$43,550 - 88,83011%98%
71Dentists, general50176,860$99,990 - 9%100%
72Physician assistants5092,930$72,150 - 111,26027%67%
73Engineers, all other4098,320$63,480 - 135,4206%82%
74Rehabilitation counselors4039,550$27,390 - 60,66023%73%
75Clergy4060,500$41,550 - 91,33019%75%
76Human resources managers, all other40117,710$61,880 - 11%58%
77Technical writers4054,720$35,890 - 90,72020%74%
78Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists4056,480$33,840 - 88,98018%56%
79Surveyors4073,800$48,300 - 104,57024%82%
80Medical scientists, except epidemiologists4089,190$67,270 - 122,35020%99%
81Social workers, all other4047,570$33,130 - 75,32018%77%
82Editors4049,730$28,750 - 67,9002%81%
83Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school4060,300$44,900 - 86,32020%87%
84Purchasing managers4086,120$54,090 - 117,7903%57%
85Education administrators, all other4079,300$48,510 - 129,49013%78%
86Occupational therapists3059,810$34,630 - 91,92023%90%
87Chiropractors3058,700$39,610 - 120,30014%98%
88Legislators3048,550$30,990 - 62,1301%65%
89Natural sciences managers30114,130$60,500 - 11%93%
90Medical and clinical laboratory technologists3063,620$47,770 - 86,71012%51%
91Floral designers3032,070$22,340 - 46,5200%55%
92Biological scientists, all other3050,440$29,980 - 88,1904%95%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Retail salespersons3,32025,840$17,380 - 38,18012%25%
2Cashiers2,83026,510$17,060 - 45,590-2%10%
3Office clerks, general2,41026,520$17,930 - 38,91013%19%
4Waiters and waitresses1,99021,680$16,710 - 37,79011%14%
5Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food1,86019,630$16,700 - 24,88018%5%
6General and operations managers1,820106,600$45,220 - 2%48%
7Stock clerks and order fillers1,58025,590$17,380 - 41,060-7%8%
8Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks1,49041,470$26,890 - 58,93013%16%
9Executive secretaries and administrative assistants1,24042,370$28,850 - 59,41015%18%
10Teacher assistants1,15027,310$17,720 - 38,07010%18%
11First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers1,11050,200$31,340 - 66,9706%29%
12Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners1,10025,710$17,430 - 39,28015%4%
13First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers1,04040,480$26,210 - 60,2004%25%
14Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand89024,230$17,050 - 36,9202%5%
15Landscaping and groundskeeping workers87031,140$21,370 - 44,29018%6%
16Cooks, fast food84019,110$16,700 - 22,2708%5%
17Truck drivers, light or delivery services75034,250$21,150 - 55,6908%4%
18Maintenance and repair workers, general74035,150$22,160 - 52,57010%6%
19Business operations specialists, all other72055,670$26,730 - 88,77021%49%
20Packers and packagers, hand72018,840$17,010 - 20,210-11%3%
21Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer71043,320$33,130 - 60,89010%4%
22Receptionists and information clerks70025,730$17,630 - 37,18017%13%
23Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants690 18%7%
24Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive67032,850$22,190 - 43,7101%18%
25Construction laborers65036,210$20,480 - 64,89011%5%
26Maids and housekeeping cleaners65019,830$16,640 - 24,61013%5%
27Food preparation workers64022,400$17,400 - 30,31015%7%
28Personal and home care aides62024,180$18,670 - 30,93051%10%
29Medical secretaries62032,570$21,820 - 46,06017%18%
30Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers61020,200$16,700 - 25,55012%6%
31First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers61029,740$19,980 - 41,77011%14%
32Bartenders60020,160$16,640 - 29,25011%17%
33Customer service representatives58038,720$21,280 - 62,89025%22%
34Dishwashers57019,150$16,880 - 21,56010%3%
35Cooks, restaurant56025,670$20,380 - 32,31012%5%
36Medical assistants55035,850$27,160 - 46,46035%10%
37Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse55019,520$16,840 - 23,520-2%4%
38Counter and rental clerks55025,470$16,640 - 39,10023%16%
39Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks55029,180$19,390 - 44,2604%6%
40Tellers53026,130$21,210 - 34,84014%16%
41Carpenters53060,880$41,250 - 80,49010%6%
42Preschool teachers, except special education52028,830$19,960 - 40,87026%43%
43Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop49018,990$16,640 - 22,80010%8%
44Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders48022,790$18,140 - 25,880-4%5%
45Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters48055,070$32,590 - 85,85011%4%
46Amusement and recreation attendants47020,150$16,820 - 25,16024%22%
47Automotive service technicians and mechanics43045,520$23,650 - 65,76014%4%
48Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors38044,600$24,220 - 66,12027%47%
49Security guards37028,980$19,050 - 41,24017%13%
50Dental assistants36033,210$22,760 - 47,33029%9%
51Child care workers36022,940$17,160 - 32,86018%15%
52Police and sheriff's patrol officers35077,080$57,980 - 99,21011%33%
53Dental hygienists32081,210$46,780 - 115,48030%33%
54Billing and posting clerks and machine operators31034,870$23,850 - 49,8704%15%
55Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop30019,290$16,840 - 22,73010%17%
56Computer support specialists30050,600$29,180 - 77,15013%43%
57Industrial truck and tractor operators30034,920$25,810 - 47,890-1%2%
58Postal service mail carriers290 1%11%
59Administrative services managers27084,690$48,290 - 134,85012%40%
60Painters, construction and maintenance26038,370$23,750 - 52,00012%6%
61Sales representatives, services, all other26064,110$24,880 - 109,63028%48%
62Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks26022,020$17,550 - 26,94017%14%
63Food service managers24049,160$34,840 - 64,8405%24%
64Bill and account collectors23037,310$28,860 - 49,48023%13%
65First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers23067,670$41,380 - 87,1809%10%
66Protective service workers, all other22035,920$23,560 - 50,03013%31%
67All other information and record clerks22032,280$16,980 - 47,760-12%21%
68Cooks, institution and cafeteria21026,740$18,320 - 39,16011%5%
69First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers21065,850$38,020 - 98,1107%13%
70Fire fighters21045,410$27,550 - 73,02012%18%
71Recreation workers21027,330$17,720 - 38,95013%47%
72Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists21030,990$18,590 - 55,25012%6%
73Kindergarten teachers, except special education20058,150$39,500 - 80,63016%43%
74First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers20055,180$33,610 - 81,880-4%15%
75Drywall and ceiling tile installers20052,380$34,980 - 66,4207%2%
76Driver/sales workers20027,630$16,640 - 43,250-4%4%
77Order clerks20033,190$23,050 - 44,600-23%16%
78Electricians19069,490$55,570 - 93,9807%7%
79Cleaners of vehicles and equipment19024,060$16,640 - 31,82014%3%
80Home health aides19023,560$17,950 - 31,25049%7%
81Assemblers and fabricators, all other19030,190$19,060 - 46,410-8%5%
82Pharmacy technicians19037,950$26,640 - 48,17032%16%
83Roofers18055,610$38,080 - 81,19014%3%
84Team assemblers18027,830$17,910 - 46,1100%5%
85Bakers17026,760$18,070 - 38,52010%8%
86Helpers--production workers17020,340$16,640 - 28,4500%4%
87First-line supervisors/managers of personal service workers16035,420$18,540 - 52,44016%26%
88Cement masons and concrete finishers16043,370$24,740 - 65,80011%2%
89File clerks15023,560$16,640 - 36,650-40%20%
90First-line supervisors/managers of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers15048,910$35,310 - 64,16018%15%
91Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers14031,050$18,010 - 48,870-26%6%
92Cooks, short order14024,060$18,260 - 31,3705%5%
93Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses14048,750$34,750 - 63,69014%7%
94Library assistants, clerical14034,290$26,840 - 41,3308%37%
95Production, planning, and expediting clerks14042,400$28,650 - 60,1404%30%
96Insurance claims and policy processing clerks14040,330$29,180 - 57,2400%22%
97Payroll and timekeeping clerks14039,620$28,040 - 51,5603%18%
98Library technicians14043,500$28,560 - 60,9109%27%
99Pharmacy aides14023,580$18,810 - 29,820-10%10%
100First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers14074,770$46,230 - 108,9304%38%
You are visiting:
All StatesCaliforniaSanta Cruz > Work

Find a job near you



(job title, keywords)


(city, state, zip)

Additional Details

Santa Cruz CollegesSanta Cruz Colleges
Santa Cruz colleges and trade schools.
Santa Cruz Graduate SchoolsSanta Cruz Graduate Schools
Santa Cruz Graduate and Business Schools
Santa Cruz Hotels & TravelSanta Cruz Hotels & Travel
Santa Cruz hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation.
Santa Cruz MortgageSanta Cruz Mortgage
Santa Cruz property, mortgage, and real estate.

Find a school near you

Jobs More Common Near Santa Cruz Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers67,6401307.4
Pharmacy aides23,5801405.8
Health educators44,5802005.7
Urban and regional planners73,7201004.9
Protective service workers, all other35,9202204.9
Mental health and substance abuse social workers51,3903404.7
Electromechanical equipment assemblers 1204.2
Teachers and instructors, all other52,6901,1303.8
Computer hardware engineers103,1201403.8
Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse19,5205503.7
Amusement and recreation attendants20,1504703.3
Education, training, and library workers, all other33,1701403.2
Dental hygienists81,2103203
Self-enrichment education teachers37,6202903
Drywall and ceiling tile installers52,3802002.7
Maintenance workers, machinery 1002.7
Cooks, fast food19,1108402.7
Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors44,6003802.7
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers29,1701002.6
Roofers55,6101802.5
Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers22,0401002.5
Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders22,7904802.5
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers20,2006102.4
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health60,2201102.3
First-line supervisors/managers of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers48,9101502.3
Personal and home care aides24,1806202.3
Instructional coordinators70,2401702.3
Library technicians43,5001402.3
Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators53,8301202.2
Medical secretaries32,5706202.2
Library assistants, clerical34,2901402.2
Preschool teachers, except special education28,8305202.2
Kindergarten teachers, except special education58,1502002.1
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education62,6801,2102.1
Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists66,2901202.1
Bakers26,7601702.1
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks22,0202602
Network systems and data communications analysts66,2303102
Marketing managers131,6002202
First-line supervisors/managers of personal service workers35,4201602
Food service managers49,1602402
Counter and rental clerks25,4705502
Bartenders20,1606002
Dental assistants33,2103602
Child, family, and school social workers47,8503001.9
Butchers and meat cutters39,7501301.9
Social and community service managers67,9201301.9
Medical assistants35,8505501.8
Coaches and scouts43,3901801.8
General and operations managers106,6001,8201.8

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Santa Cruz, California Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Police and sheriff's patrol officers77,0801.59350
Roofers55,6101.58180
Carpenters60,8801.55530
Electricians69,4901.48190
Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors44,6001.48380
Library technicians43,5001.47140
Library assistants, clerical34,2901.43140
Cashiers26,5101.432,830
Registered nurses88,0101.431,300
Teachers and instructors, all other52,6901.391,130
Drywall and ceiling tile installers52,3801.36200
Pharmacy technicians37,9501.35190
Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators53,8301.32120
Butchers and meat cutters39,7501.32130
Customer service representatives38,7201.3580
Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks41,4701.31,490
Marketing managers131,6001.29220
Mental health and substance abuse social workers51,3901.29340
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers31,1401.28870
Dental hygienists81,2101.28320
Medical assistants35,8501.28550
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents101,0301.28110
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school102,5001.26200
Automotive service technicians and mechanics45,5201.25430
Lawyers127,9101.25260
Wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products63,3401.25130
Managers, all other102,8401.24210
Sales representatives, services, all other64,1101.24260
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists30,9901.23210
Graphic designers49,7101.23150
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses48,7501.23140
Teacher assistants27,3101.231,150
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education62,6801.231,210
Kindergarten teachers, except special education58,1501.22200
Network and computer systems administrators74,9101.22140
Instructional coordinators70,2401.22170
Insurance claims and policy processing clerks40,3301.22140
Coaches and scouts43,3901.22180
Personal and home care aides24,1801.21620
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products68,4301.21890
Bill and account collectors37,3101.21230
Computer software engineers, systems software100,5101.21250
Computer support specialists50,6001.21300
Cooks, short order24,0601.2140
Pharmacists126,1701.2160
Computer and information systems managers121,1501.2150
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters55,0701.19480
Social and human service assistants33,8601.19280
Social and community service managers67,9201.19130
Child care workers22,9401.19360

Career and College Resources on CityTownInfo

Real-World Career Reports

Career Stories from workers: daily activities, job tips, best/worst job aspects, training, etc.

Daily Career & Education News from our staff. We're an approved Google News provider!

Career References and Original Articles

Resource Center. A starting point for all CityTownInfo career and college resources.

Career Overviews of hundreds of careers: descriptions, salaries, forecasts, schools, more.

Best Careers Not Requiring Degrees: Good pay, job growth, low need for degrees.

Helpful Articles, many in "how-to" format; e.g., "How to Become a Chef".

College Directories and Lists

These lists link to thousands of detailed school profiles.

Colleges by State. Nearly every college and trade school in the country.

Colleges Listed Alphabetically. About 7,000 colleges & trade schools, including online schools.

Colleges by Major City. Browse cities with multiple college options.

Online Colleges. Colleges with online degree programs.

Graduate Schools by State. Colleges offering graduate degree programs.

Graduate Schools by Major City. Find cities with multiple graduate school options.

HTML For Linking To This Page

Please share this employment resource

Copyright © QuinStreet, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Click to verify BBB accreditation and to see a BBB report.    TRUSTe online privacy certification