Surgical technologist salary in California

Surgical technologists in California earn a median $81,310 a year. That's 26% above the national median, ranking California #3 of 50 states.

Median pay
$81,310
Median hourly
$39.09
Typical range
$49,140–$115,740
Jobs
11,920

Pay range

Annual pay percentiles for surgical technologists in California
PercentileAnnual payU.S.
10th (entry level)$49,140$45,940
25th$64,380$54,690
Median$81,310$64,650
75th$99,260$79,750
90th (top earners)$115,740$96,940

Pay in California metro areas

Median pay by metro area
Metro areaMedian payJobs
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$81,5803,440

Compare other states

  1. 1Hawaii$82,640
  2. 2Oregon$81,390
  3. 3California$81,310
  4. 4Massachusetts$80,870
  5. 5Alaska$80,380
  6. 6Minnesota$80,210
  7. 7Connecticut$79,890
  8. 8New York$79,550
  9. –District of Columbia$77,520
  10. 9Washington$77,270
  11. 10New Jersey$77,200
  12. 11Colorado$75,740
  13. 12Nevada$75,480
  14. 13New Hampshire$75,040
  15. 14Rhode Island$74,130
  16. 15Wisconsin$74,120
  17. 16Idaho$72,550
  18. 17Arizona$72,260
  19. 18Maryland$68,970
  20. 19Virginia$67,580
  21. 20Texas$65,220
  22. 21Illinois$64,650
  23. 22Indiana$64,240
  24. 23Georgia$64,010
  25. 24Nebraska$63,880
  26. 25Michigan$63,320
  27. 26Maine$62,860
  28. 27Utah$62,720
  29. 28Pennsylvania$62,680
  30. 29Florida$62,440
  31. 30Ohio$62,420
  32. 31Delaware$62,250
  33. 32South Carolina$62,160
  34. 33North Dakota$61,640
  35. 34Oklahoma$61,190
  36. 35Missouri$61,120
  37. 36Montana$60,970
  38. 37North Carolina$60,920
  39. 38Vermont$60,660
  40. 39Kansas$60,600
  41. 40Iowa$60,540
  42. 41Tennessee$60,530
  43. 42Kentucky$60,490
  44. 43South Dakota$59,870
  45. 44Wyoming$58,850
  46. 45Arkansas$57,400
  47. 46Louisiana$57,370
  48. 47New Mexico$51,780
  49. 48Mississippi$49,810
  50. 49Alabama$49,420
  51. 50West Virginia$49,110
  52. –Puerto Rico$30,600

Start training

See what the work is like and how long training takes, then compare schools in California.

Surgical tech schools in CaliforniaHow to become a surgical technologist

Frequently asked questions

How much do surgical technologists make in California?

The median pay for surgical technologists in California is $81,310 a year ($39.09 an hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $49,140, and the top 10% earn over $115,740.

Is California a good state for surgical technologists?

California ranks #3 of 50 states for median surgical technologist pay, 26% above the national median of $64,650. Living costs vary a lot by state, so compare pay with local housing costs.

How can a surgical technologist earn more?

Pay rises with experience, certifications, specialized skills, overtime and willingness to travel. Union jobs and employers in high-cost metro areas often pay more. Our guide on how to become a surgical technologist covers the certifications that matter most.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (Surgical Technologists, SOC 29-2055). Figures exclude self-employed workers.