Natural Sciences Manager salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Natural Sciences Managers in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn a median of $202,380 a year ($97.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $125,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $303,550 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $167,220. Pay here is 4% lower than the California statewide median of $210,230. There are 0.83 natural sciences managers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $211,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for natural sciences managers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $125,550 | $60.36 |
| 25th percentile | $164,590 | $79.13 |
| Median | $202,380 | $97.30 |
| 75th percentile | $263,230 | $126.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $303,550 | $145.94 |
| Average (mean) | $211,060 | $101.47 |
Half of natural sciences managers 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 | $16,865 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $8,432.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $7,783.85 |
| Weekly | $3,891.92 |
| Hourly | $97.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Natural Sciences Manager salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $263,810 | 1,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $225,230 | 5,530 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $207,200 | 2,890 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $193,340 | 2,530 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $178,530 | 40 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $176,740 | 180 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $175,400 | 110 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $174,860 | 30 |
| Salinas, CA | $171,290 | 40 |
| Vallejo, CA | $171,250 | 60 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $170,010 | 680 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $169,370 | 260 |
| Modesto, CA | $160,070 | 50 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $158,770 | 80 |
| Fresno, CA | $157,470 | 90 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $156,270 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for natural sciences managers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $267,290 |
| Connecticut | $210,670 |
| California | $210,230 |
| New Jersey | $207,030 |
| Washington | $182,480 |
| North Carolina | $173,870 |
| Maryland | $168,620 |
| Illinois | $159,670 |
| District of Columbia | $156,730 |
| Kansas | $153,820 |
See Natural Sciences Manager pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $138,640 | $66.66 |
| Managers, All Other | $170,650 | $82.04 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $81,130 | $39.00 |
| Food Service Manager | $77,470 | $37.25 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $157,630 | — |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $71,070 | $34.17 |
| Construction Manager | $128,730 | $61.89 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $206,880 | $99.46 |
| Education Administrators, All Other | $109,890 | $52.83 |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $77,610 | $37.31 |
| Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare | $60,210 | $28.95 |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $172,410 | $82.89 |
| General and Operations Managers | $105,360 | $50.65 |
| Sales Manager | $117,090 | $56.30 |
More: Management 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 11-9121. 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 natural sciences manager make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median salary for natural sciences managers in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $202,380 a year, or $97.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $125,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $303,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid natural sciences managers make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The top 10% of natural sciences managers in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn at least $303,550 a year. The top 25% earn $263,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for natural sciences managers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $125,550 a year, and a quarter of natural sciences managers earn $164,590 or less.
How many natural sciences managers work in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
About 80 natural sciences managers are employed in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.