Helpers--Production Workers salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Helpers--Production Workers in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn a median of $39,700 a year ($19.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,630 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $39,070. Pay here is 10% lower than the California statewide median of $43,970. There are 0.99 Helpers--Production workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for Helpers--Production workers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,210 | $17.89 |
| 25th percentile | $39,700 | $19.09 |
| Median | $39,700 | $19.09 |
| 75th percentile | $46,270 | $22.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,630 | $24.82 |
| Average (mean) | $43,030 | $20.69 |
Half of Helpers--Production workers 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 | $3,308.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,654.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,526.92 |
| Weekly | $763.46 |
| Hourly | $19.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $39,700 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Helpers--Production Workers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $49,920 | 230 |
| Napa, CA | $48,420 | 160 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $47,320 | 380 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $47,120 | 1,590 |
| Redding, CA | $46,340 | 60 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $46,290 | 1,480 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $46,170 | 670 |
| Salinas, CA | $46,030 | 130 |
| Vallejo, CA | $44,940 | 140 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $44,910 | 710 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $43,210 | 1,990 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $42,490 | 6,810 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $42,360 | 130 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $42,320 | 100 |
| Visalia, CA | $41,540 | 210 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $40,800 | 210 |
| Chico, CA | $40,540 | 30 |
| Fresno, CA | $40,540 | 490 |
| Modesto, CA | $39,900 | 230 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $39,730 | 270 |
| Merced, CA | $38,880 | 140 |
| El Centro, CA | $38,610 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for Helpers--Production workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| North Dakota | $46,170 |
| Montana | $46,110 |
| Iowa | $45,560 |
| Colorado | $45,550 |
| Washington | $45,450 |
| Oregon | $45,390 |
| Connecticut | $45,260 |
| Wisconsin | $45,100 |
| Nebraska | $45,020 |
| Minnesota | $44,720 |
See Helpers--Production Workers pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,610 | $20.96 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $51,210 | $24.62 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $55,560 | $26.71 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $46,340 | $22.28 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $61,260 | $29.45 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,560 | $22.87 |
| Baker | $42,920 | $20.63 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,690 | $35.91 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $49,280 | $23.69 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $44,260 | $21.28 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $37,910 | $18.23 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $50,840 | $24.44 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $94,060 | $45.22 |
More: Production 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 51-9198. 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 Helpers--Production workers make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median salary for Helpers--Production workers in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $39,700 a year, or $19.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid Helpers--Production workers make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The top 10% of Helpers--Production workers in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn at least $51,630 a year. The top 25% earn $46,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for Helpers--Production workers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,210 a year, and a quarter of Helpers--Production workers earn $39,700 or less.
How many Helpers--Production workers work in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
About 100 Helpers--Production workers are employed in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.