Nursing Assistant salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Nursing Assistants in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn a median of $47,940 a year ($23.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 440 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,720 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $42,260. Pay here is 1% higher than the California statewide median of $47,630. There are 4.5 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.48). The average (mean) salary is $49,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,110 | $18.80 |
| 25th percentile | $47,100 | $22.64 |
| Median | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| 75th percentile | $50,740 | $24.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,720 | $27.75 |
| Average (mean) | $49,290 | $23.70 |
Half of nursing assistants 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 | $3,995 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,997.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,843.85 |
| Weekly | $921.92 |
| Hourly | $23.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,940 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Nursing Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $56,840 | 5,350 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $56,080 | 11,790 |
| Napa, CA | $50,370 | 460 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $49,240 | 1,250 |
| Vallejo, CA | $48,900 | 940 |
| Salinas, CA | $48,870 | 1,070 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $48,070 | 9,670 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $47,510 | 5,650 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $47,380 | 43,090 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $47,130 | 1,090 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $46,840 | 610 |
| Visalia, CA | $46,810 | 1,530 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $46,800 | 2,070 |
| Modesto, CA | $46,550 | 1,500 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $46,530 | 2,560 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $46,430 | 9,940 |
| Chico, CA | $46,380 | 790 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $46,130 | 1,720 |
| Yuba City, CA | $46,130 | 520 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $45,980 | 290 |
| Redding, CA | $44,880 | 760 |
| Merced, CA | $44,730 | 500 |
| Fresno, CA | $44,710 | 3,880 |
| El Centro, CA | $44,670 | 240 |
Highest-paying states for nursing assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $49,830 |
| Washington | $49,180 |
| New York | $48,590 |
| New Hampshire | $47,870 |
| District of Columbia | $47,700 |
| California | $47,630 |
| Colorado | $47,380 |
| Vermont | $47,130 |
| Maine | $47,070 |
| New Jersey | $46,830 |
See Nursing Assistant pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| Medical Assistant | $50,090 | $24.08 |
| Dental Assistant | $58,580 | $28.16 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $47,150 | $22.67 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $50,870 | $24.46 |
| Massage Therapist | $58,050 | $27.91 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $39,210 | $18.85 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $87,330 | $41.99 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $81,370 | $39.12 |
| Phlebotomist | $59,800 | $28.75 |
More: Healthcare Support 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 31-1131. 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 nursing assistant make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median salary for nursing assistants in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $47,940 a year, or $23.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn at least $57,720 a year. The top 25% earn $50,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,110 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $47,100 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
About 440 nursing assistants are employed in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.