Surgical Technologist salary in California
Surgical Technologists in California earn a median of $81,310 a year ($39.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 11,920 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,740 for the top 10%. That is 26% higher than the national median of $64,650. California ranks 3rd of 51 states for surgical technologists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.66 surgical technologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $82,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical technologists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,140 | $23.63 |
| 25th percentile | $64,380 | $30.95 |
| Median | $81,310 | $39.09 |
| 75th percentile | $99,260 | $47.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,740 | $55.64 |
| Average (mean) | $82,810 | $39.81 |
Half of surgical technologists 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 | $6,775.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,387.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,127.31 |
| Weekly | $1,563.65 |
| Hourly | $39.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Surgical Technologist salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $106,840 | 700 |
| Vallejo, CA | $105,260 | 100 |
| Napa, CA | $102,490 | 60 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $100,130 | 80 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $99,960 | 120 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $99,390 | 1,440 |
| Redding, CA | $89,940 | 80 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $82,300 | 170 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $82,260 | 1,110 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $81,580 | 3,440 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $80,730 | 100 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $80,060 | 200 |
| Modesto, CA | $79,950 | 120 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $78,510 | 170 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $78,470 | 240 |
| Chico, CA | $78,050 | 90 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $77,490 | 1,190 |
| Salinas, CA | $72,780 | 120 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $65,980 | 1,020 |
| Fresno, CA | $64,380 | 520 |
| Visalia, CA | $61,270 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for surgical technologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $82,640 |
| Oregon | $81,390 |
| California | $81,310 |
| Massachusetts | $80,870 |
| Alaska | $80,380 |
| Minnesota | $80,210 |
| Connecticut | $79,890 |
| New York | $79,550 |
| District of Columbia | $77,520 |
| Washington | $77,270 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $79,750 | $38.34 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $55,110 | $26.50 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $76,010 | $36.54 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $60,390 | $29.03 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $46,380 | $22.30 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $121,260 | $58.30 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $61,810 | $29.71 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $49,140 | $23.62 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $60,630 | $29.15 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $128,530 | $61.79 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $57,990 | $27.88 |
| Dietetic Technician | $46,410 | $22.31 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $78,170 | $37.58 |
| Paramedic | $74,590 | $35.86 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2055. 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 surgical technologist make in California?
The median salary for surgical technologists in California is $81,310 a year, or $39.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical technologists make in California?
The top 10% of surgical technologists in California earn at least $115,740 a year. The top 25% earn $99,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical technologists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,140 a year, and a quarter of surgical technologists earn $64,380 or less.
How many surgical technologists work in California?
About 11,920 surgical technologists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.