Anthropologists and Archeologists salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Anthropologists and Archeologists in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn a median of $66,040 a year ($31.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,270 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $70,770. Pay here is 9% lower than the California statewide median of $72,240. There are 0.46 anthropologists and archeologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 7.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $73,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for anthropologists and archeologists in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,770 | $25.85 |
| 25th percentile | $61,140 | $29.40 |
| Median | $66,040 | $31.75 |
| 75th percentile | $81,860 | $39.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,270 | $45.80 |
| Average (mean) | $73,790 | $35.48 |
Half of anthropologists and archeologists 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 | $5,503.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,751.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,540 |
| Weekly | $1,270 |
| Hourly | $31.75 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $66,040 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Anthropologists and Archeologists salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $79,530 | 200 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $76,010 | 90 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $75,480 | 350 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $74,490 | 40 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $66,620 | 60 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $66,160 | 230 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $65,240 | 540 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $63,630 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for anthropologists and archeologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $121,300 |
| Nebraska | $94,520 |
| Connecticut | $91,420 |
| Alaska | $89,810 |
| Idaho | $88,710 |
| Oregon | $84,970 |
| Hawaii | $84,530 |
| Virginia | $80,230 |
| Pennsylvania | $79,660 |
| Montana | $79,420 |
See Anthropologists and Archeologists pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Urban and Regional Planners | $112,270 | $53.98 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $112,860 | $54.26 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $134,060 | $64.45 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $103,610 | $49.81 |
| Chemist | $95,840 | $46.08 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $106,430 | $51.17 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $98,400 | $47.31 |
| Biological Technician | $66,240 | $31.84 |
| Conservation Scientist | $72,860 | $35.03 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $66,000 | $31.73 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $46,010 | $22.12 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $136,120 | $65.44 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $66,290 | $31.87 |
| Chemical Technician | $57,390 | $27.59 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science 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 19-3091. 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 anthropologists and archeologists make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median salary for anthropologists and archeologists in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $66,040 a year, or $31.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid anthropologists and archeologists make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The top 10% of anthropologists and archeologists in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn at least $95,270 a year. The top 25% earn $81,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for anthropologists and archeologists in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,770 a year, and a quarter of anthropologists and archeologists earn $61,140 or less.
How many anthropologists and archeologists work in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
About 40 anthropologists and archeologists are employed in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.