Residential Advisor salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Residential Advisors in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn a median of $46,440 a year ($22.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,870 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $42,240. Pay here is about the same as the California statewide median of $46,650. There are 0.51 residential advisors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $53,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for residential advisors in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,760 | $17.67 |
| 25th percentile | $41,640 | $20.02 |
| Median | $46,440 | $22.33 |
| 75th percentile | $60,610 | $29.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,870 | $40.32 |
| Average (mean) | $53,910 | $25.92 |
Half of residential advisors 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 | $3,870 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,935 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,786.15 |
| Weekly | $893.08 |
| Hourly | $22.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,440 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Residential Advisor salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $55,800 | 300 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $54,510 | 1,130 |
| Vallejo, CA | $51,170 | 100 |
| Salinas, CA | $49,580 | 30 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $47,150 | 60 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $47,110 | 140 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $46,840 | 360 |
| Modesto, CA | $46,590 | 50 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $46,270 | 60 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $46,140 | 290 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $45,340 | 130 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $45,240 | 3,570 |
| Merced, CA | $44,880 | 40 |
| Yuba City, CA | $44,750 | 40 |
| Fresno, CA | $43,930 | 240 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $43,810 | 780 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $43,540 | 190 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $43,260 | 100 |
| Visalia, CA | $42,920 | 50 |
| Chico, CA | $38,930 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for residential advisors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $49,010 |
| Minnesota | $48,770 |
| Washington | $48,640 |
| North Dakota | $48,590 |
| New York | $48,380 |
| Massachusetts | $48,190 |
| Montana | $47,230 |
| Oregon | $47,160 |
| Maryland | $46,950 |
| California | $46,650 |
See Residential Advisor pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $60,580 | $29.13 |
| Childcare Worker | $38,050 | $18.29 |
| Recreation Worker | $38,340 | $18.43 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $42,110 | $20.24 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| Animal Caretaker | $39,870 | $19.17 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $37,380 | $17.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $53,810 | $25.87 |
| Skincare Specialist | $39,120 | $18.81 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $60,080 | $28.88 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $44,270 | $21.29 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $35,860 | $17.24 |
More: Personal Care and Service 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 39-9041. 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 residential advisor make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median salary for residential advisors in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $46,440 a year, or $22.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid residential advisors make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The top 10% of residential advisors in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn at least $83,870 a year. The top 25% earn $60,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for residential advisors in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,760 a year, and a quarter of residential advisors earn $41,640 or less.
How many residential advisors work in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
About 50 residential advisors are employed in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.