Training and Development Specialists salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Training and Development Specialists in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn a median of $77,400 a year ($37.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,790 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $69,280. Pay here is 2% higher than the California statewide median of $75,790. There are 2.8 training and development specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $80,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for training and development specialists in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,930 | $21.60 |
| 25th percentile | $50,120 | $24.10 |
| Median | $77,400 | $37.21 |
| 75th percentile | $99,090 | $47.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,790 | $61.44 |
| Average (mean) | $80,590 | $38.75 |
Half of training and development 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 | $6,450 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,225 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,976.92 |
| Weekly | $1,488.46 |
| Hourly | $37.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Training and Development Specialists salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $104,770 | 3,310 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $95,050 | 6,310 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $76,270 | 250 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $76,180 | 2,610 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $75,890 | 450 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $75,670 | 3,840 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $75,590 | 450 |
| Modesto, CA | $74,220 | 580 |
| Napa, CA | $72,940 | 120 |
| Vallejo, CA | $72,750 | 320 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $71,990 | 15,030 |
| Salinas, CA | $66,030 | 290 |
| Fresno, CA | $65,060 | 960 |
| Redding, CA | $63,100 | 170 |
| El Centro, CA | $61,010 | 140 |
| Visalia, CA | $61,000 | 370 |
| Merced, CA | $60,990 | 190 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $60,580 | 850 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $60,520 | 110 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $60,100 | 790 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $60,010 | 4,690 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $58,860 | 940 |
| Chico, CA | $58,790 | 160 |
| Yuba City, CA | $48,280 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for training and development specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Delaware | $88,570 |
| New Hampshire | $86,050 |
| Alaska | $81,860 |
| Washington | $81,860 |
| District of Columbia | $80,980 |
| Massachusetts | $80,270 |
| Connecticut | $78,080 |
| Vermont | $77,800 |
| Virginia | $77,690 |
| New Jersey | $77,020 |
See Training and Development Specialists 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 |
| 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 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $128,320 | $61.69 |
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 13-1151. 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 training and development specialists make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median salary for training and development specialists in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $77,400 a year, or $37.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid training and development specialists make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The top 10% of training and development specialists in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn at least $127,790 a year. The top 25% earn $99,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for training and development specialists in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,930 a year, and a quarter of training and development specialists earn $50,120 or less.
How many training and development specialists work in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
About 280 training and development specialists are employed in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.