Labor Relations Specialist salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Labor Relations Specialists in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn a median of $128,320 a year ($61.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $194,410 for the top 10%. That is 34% higher than the national median of $95,420. Pay here is 21% higher than the California statewide median of $105,810. There are 0.40 labor relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $126,580, close to the median.
Pay range for labor relations specialists in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,900 | $38.41 |
| 25th percentile | $92,540 | $44.49 |
| Median | $128,320 | $61.69 |
| 75th percentile | $157,310 | $75.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $194,410 | $93.47 |
| Average (mean) | $126,580 | $60.86 |
Half of labor relations specialists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,693.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,346.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,935.38 |
| Weekly | $2,467.69 |
| Hourly | $61.69 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $128,320 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Labor Relations Specialist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $133,270 | 510 |
| Vallejo, CA | $131,680 | 100 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $124,400 | 2,000 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $108,760 | 60 |
| Visalia, CA | $105,850 | 40 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $103,790 | 930 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $102,980 | 3,300 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $102,230 | 470 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $102,000 | 410 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $101,660 | 30 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $101,050 | 140 |
| Salinas, CA | $100,810 | 50 |
| Fresno, CA | $99,630 | 160 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $89,940 | 90 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $83,360 | 70 |
| Modesto, CA | $63,640 | 140 |
Highest-paying states for labor relations specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $118,370 |
| District of Columbia | $115,600 |
| Massachusetts | $111,260 |
| California | $105,810 |
| Illinois | $104,180 |
| Washington | $104,100 |
| North Dakota | $101,220 |
| Minnesota | $100,760 |
| New York | $100,500 |
| Virginia | $98,730 |
See Labor Relations Specialist pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $84,010 | $40.39 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $84,690 | $40.72 |
| Management Analyst | $105,480 | $50.71 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $78,880 | $37.92 |
| Project Management Specialist | $106,780 | $51.34 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $77,400 | $37.21 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $77,250 | $37.14 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $79,480 | $38.21 |
| Compliance Officer | $86,510 | $41.59 |
| Cost Estimator | $80,170 | $38.54 |
| Fundraiser | $82,310 | $39.57 |
| Logistician | $104,320 | $50.15 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $67,550 | $32.48 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $95,730 | $46.02 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-1075. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a labor relations specialist make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median salary for labor relations specialists in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $128,320 a year, or $61.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $194,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid labor relations specialists make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The top 10% of labor relations specialists in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn at least $194,410 a year. The top 25% earn $157,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for labor relations specialists in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,900 a year, and a quarter of labor relations specialists earn $92,540 or less.
How many labor relations specialists work in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
About 40 labor relations specialists are employed in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.