Software Engineer Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA (2026)
Data updated · Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025, HUD FY 2027 Fair Market Rents, EPI 2026 Family Budget, 2026 tax tables · Methodology
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Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA Software Engineer Wage Distribution
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Percentiles & Career Ladders
HUD Fair Market Rent & EPI Living Wage Affordability Index
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Hourly Wage to Annual & Overtime Matrix
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Interstate MSA Relocation & State Tax Migration Comparator
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Software Engineer in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA: Compensation & Purchasing Power Briefing (2026)
Estimates compiled from BLS OEWS wages, IRS 2026 withholding rules, HUD Fair Market Rents, and California tax codes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Wages sourced from US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS OEWS). Rents calibrated to HUD Fair Market Rents. Tax schedules calibrated to IRS IRC Title 26, IRS Pub 15-T, and state statutory revenue codes.
- Federal Standard Deduction (Single) $16,100
- FICA OASDI Wage Base Cap $184,500
- Pre-Tax 401(k) Elective Deferral $24,500
- HSA Individual Annual Limit $4,400
Software Engineer in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA: Market Snapshot
Software Engineer roles in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA report a median annual wage of $156,910, 15.4% above the national median of $135,980. The 10th to 90th percentile band runs from $92,520 to $209,260, and HUD’s $3,390 monthly one-bedroom fair market rent equals 25.9% of that median gross pay. The single-adult living wage benchmark for the area is $50.95 per hour.
Highest-paying metropolitan areas for Software Engineer
| Metropolitan area | Median annual wage | Vs this market |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $213,110 | +35.8% |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $186,640 | +18.9% |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $167,280 | +6.6% |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $166,830 | +6.3% |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $166,090 | +5.9% |
| Boulder, CO | $164,560 | +4.9% |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $163,270 | +4.1% |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $162,650 | +3.7% |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | $162,090 | +3.3% |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $160,920 | +2.6% |
Top-paying occupations benchmarked in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Occupation | Median annual wage | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Executives | $209,080 | $100.52/hr |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $206,880 | $99.46/hr |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $202,380 | $97.30/hr |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $198,770 | $95.56/hr |
| Fundraising Managers | $179,130 | $86.12/hr |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $172,410 | $82.89/hr |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | $170,960 | $82.19/hr |
| Marketing Managers | $168,980 | $81.24/hr |
| Nurse Practitioner | $167,190 | $80.38/hr |
| Financial Manager | $165,800 | $79.71/hr |
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2025, 377 metropolitan areas publishing this occupation; HUD FY2027 Fair Market Rents; EPI Family Budget Calculator. Taxes use 2026 federal and state rules. Data last updated .
Regional Labor Market & Career Mobility Network
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Related Technology Roles in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
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Other Metros for Software Engineer
Regional metropolitan labor markets within commuter or relocation distance with local BLS wages and living costs.
Software Engineer median pay in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $156,910 a year ($75.44/hr). See take-home pay after 2026 taxes, BLS wage percentiles, HUD rents. Official 2026 economic data for Software Engineer in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.
Quick answers
The median annual wage is $156,910 ($75.44 per hour). The middle 80% of earners make between $92,520 and $209,260. Source: BLS OEWS (May 2025).
On the median wage of $156,910, a single filer with no pre-tax deductions takes home about $106,271 a year ($8,856 a month) after $50,639 in federal, FICA, state and local taxes, an effective rate of 32.27%, using 2026 tax rules.