verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Surgical Technologist Salary in California

Median Annual in California
$81,310/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$39.09/hr
▲ 26% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in California

groups Employed in CA
11,920
public U.S. Median
$64,650
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$73,438 #12 of 51

Surgical Technologist pay in California, explained

Surgical technologists in California earn a median of $81,310 per year ($39.09 per hour), which is 26% above the national median of $64,650. Entry-level workers earn around $49,140, while the most experienced surgical technologists reach about $115,740. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within California.

Is $81,310 good pay in California?

Adjusted for California's cost of living (which runs 111% of the U.S. average), that $81,310 is worth about $73,438 in national buying power — ranking California #12 for real pay (vs #3 on the sticker number).

See the full Surgical Technologist Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Surgical Technologist pay by experience in California

Entry level (10th pct)
$49,140
$23.62/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$81,310
$39.09/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$115,740
$55.64/hr

Surgical Technologist pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CA
California (here) $81,310 $73,438
Oregon $81,390 $78,743 −$80
Nevada $75,480 $75,496 +$5,830
Arizona $72,260 $71,774 +$9,050

Surgical Technologist in California: FAQ

How much do surgical technologists make in California?

Surgical technologists in California earn a median of $81,310 per year ($39.09 per hour), compared with $64,650 nationally.

Does California pay surgical technologists well?

At $81,310, California pays 26% above the national median for surgical technologists. An estimated 11,920 work in the state.

Surgical Technologist salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

Related careers in California