What is the average salary for surgical techs in California?

The average salary for surgical techs in California was $76,170 per year or $36.62 per hour in 2023, which is higher than the national average of $60,370 per year.

Which California city pays surgical techs the most?

The San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward area pays surgical techs the most in California, with an average annual salary of $95,800 or $46.06 per hour.

How does the surgical tech salary in California compare to other states?

Surgical techs in California earn more than the national average. For example, the average salary in California is $76,170, while in Texas it is $60,070, and in Florida it is $56,730.

How does the surgical tech salary compare to other healthcare jobs in California?

In California, surgical techs earn $76,170 on average. This is higher than medical assistants ($50,900), dental assistants ($52,470), and phlebotomists ($52,370), and comparable to licensed practical nurses ($76,580).

How can surgical techs in California increase their salary?

Surgical techs can increase their salary by specializing in high-demand areas, earning certifications such as CST or TS-C, learning new technologies, taking leadership or educator roles, working in higher-paying cities, or accepting travel contracts.

Average Surgical Tech Salary in California

Written by

Jessica Holbrook, MSN, RN, CCRN

Reviewed by

Published

May 13, 2024

Becoming a surgical tech is a great choice for people interested in healthcare. Surgical techs have rewarding careers, good job security, and decent salaries.

So what is the typical surgical tech salary in California?

The average salary for surgical techs in California was $76,170 per year or $36.62 per hour in 2023.

Average salaries vary greatly based on location, ranging from $62,360 (in the Visalia-Porterville area) and $95,800 (in the Bay Area).

This guide goes over how much surgical technologists in California earn, how surgical tech jobs compare to other jobs in California, and how to earn more.

>> Learn about Stepful's 4-Month Online Surgical Tech Program

Surgical Tech Salary in California Overview

Salaries for surgical techs in California are higher than the national average.

Across the United States, the average salary for a surgical technologist is $60,370 per year or $29.03 per hour.

Surgical techs in California earn an average of $76,170 per year or $36.62 per hour.

Surgical Tech Salaries in California Cities

Metro Area	Annual Salary	Hourly Salary	# Jobs	Jobs Per 1,000
Bakersfield	$69,250	$33.29	200	0.61
Fresno	$74,320	$35.73	280	0.69
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim	$67,720	$32.56	4,270	0.69
Modesto	$83,180	$39.99	160	0.85
Napa	$87,660	$42.14	40	0.56
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura	$75,820	$36.45	140	0.46
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario	$68,940	$33.15	1,090	0.66
Sacramento-Roseville-Arden-Arcade	$84,600	$40.67	590	0.57
Salinas	$77,570	$37.29	80	0.45
San Diego-Carlsbad	$77,940	$37.47	830	0.55
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward	$95,800	$46.06	1,310	0.54
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara	$94,490	$45.43	690	0.61
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande	$69,470	$33.40	90	0.78
Santa Cruz-Watsonville	$79,180	$38.07	60	0.63
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara	$73,350	$35.27	140	0.68
Santa Rosa	$82,560	$39.69	100	0.50
Stockton-Lodi	$82,150	$39.50	150	0.56
Vallejo-Fairfield	$95,330	$45.83	110	0.78
Visalia-Porterville	$62,360	$29.98	90	0.53

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>> Learn about Stepful's 4-Month Online Surgical Tech Program

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Job Outlook for Surgical Techs in California

Becoming a surgical technologist means you will enjoy a decent salary and great job security in the future. As of May 2024, there are about 11,100 surgical technologists working in California, and that number is expected to rise.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that surgical technologist job opportunities will increase by 5% between 2022 and 2032, with 7,000 surgical tech positions expected to open up across the United States.

In California, many hospitals and other healthcare facilities are offering large sign-on bonuses to new surgical technologists in order to meet the demand for good employees. Experienced surgical techs can find sign-on bonuses up to $20,000.

Surgical Tech Salary vs. Other Occupations in California

Here is how the average surgical tech salary in California stacks up to salaries of other similar occupations in the state:

Surgical Tech: $76,170 ($36.63)
Medical Assistant: $50,900 ($24.47)
Phlebotomist: $52,370 ($25.18)
Dental Assistant: $52,470 ($25.23)
Pharmacy Technician: $55,710 ($26.79)
Emergency Medical Technicians: $52,100 ($25.05)
Licensed Practical Nurse: $76,580 ($36.82)
Nursing Assistant: $47,070 ($22.63)

Surgical Tech Salaries in California vs. Other States

Wisconsin $65,620 $31.55 2,660 0.921 Wyoming $57,260 $27.53 190 0.691 Puerto Rico $25,640 $12.33 910 0.975

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How to Improve Your Chances of Getting a Better Surgical Tech Salary in California

Even though surgical techs in California earn more than the national average, the rising cost of living means that you’ll want to maximize your salary. The following strategies can help you improve your chances of getting a better surgical tech salary in California:

Specialize. Surgical techs who specialize can often earn more than those who work in physicians' offices or with general surgeons. High-paying specialty areas may require extra training, years of experience, or even additional certifications.
Earn more certifications. Surgical techs in California are not required to earn a certification. However, passing the TS-C or CST exam and becoming a certified surgical tech can help you earn a higher salary. Most employers are willing to pay significantly more for a surgical tech who has passed their certification exam.
Learn about new technologies. Staying up-to-date on the latest advances in technology makes you a more valuable member of the healthcare team. Managers and surgeons will notice employees who are committed to continued learning and improving patient outcomes. Helping the team by learning about new technologies will make it easier to justify asking for a raise.
Become a leader or educator. After getting some experience working at the bedside or in the operating room, you may be able to secure a position as a leader or educator in your facility. You will be able to ask for a higher salary as either a manager of a team of surgical technicians or an educator for new employees. You may even consider taking a job as an educator in a surgical technician training program.
Commute to a higher-paying city. Some areas in California pay better than others. It may be worth it to take a job in a higher-paying area if you have a reliable means of transportation and are willing to spend some time commuting to work each day.
Take travel contracts. You do not have to live out of state to become a traveling surgical tech. Travel surgical techs often earn a much higher salary than permanent staff.

>> Learn about Stepful's 4-Month Online Surgical Tech Program

About

Jessica Holbrook, MSN, RN, CCRN

Jessica is a current ICU nurse and nurse writer with specialized certifications in pediatrics, life flight, and cardiac surgery. She has spent most of her healthcare career caring for medically complex and chronically ill pediatric patients. Her writing focuses on education of patients and families to help them make informed healthcare decisions. Jessica graduated with her Masters of Science in Nursing from Weber State University, where she focused on hospital quality improvement and expanding access to healthcare for at-risk populations. Her masters thesis focused on health and wellness education for adolescents. Before starting her career in healthcare, Jessica worked for years as a nanny and a high school sports coach. She spends her spare time trail running with her husband and baking with her daughter.