How Much Does a Surgical Tech Make in California in 2026?

A typical Surgical Tech in California earns about $39.09 per hour, or $81,310 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That translates to roughly $6,776 a month and $1,564 a week, both calculated from the annual figure above. California's cost of living tends to push pay higher than in many other states. Pay still differs widely by city and by years on the job.

That California figure runs 26% above the national typical pay of $64,650 a year, and $31.08 an hour nationally. California ranks 3rd among all 51 states for Surgical Tech pay. Roughly 11,920 Surgical Techs work across California, compared with 117,460 nationwide. The higher pay reflects the state's cost of living as much as anything else.

Entry-level positions in California typically offer around $23.63 an hour, or about $49,140 a year, for Surgical Techs just starting out. That is a common starting point in operating rooms across the state. Pay tends to move toward the typical figure of $81,310 a year within the first few years on the job. Certification, hospital setting, and city all affect how quickly that happens.

Experienced Surgical Techs in California often earn upwards of $47.72 an hour, or $99,260 a year. The top 10% of earners make over $115,740 a year, which works out to $55.64 an hour. That leaves a spread of $66,600 between entry-level and top pay in the state. Years of experience, the type of facility, and the city all tend to separate the two ends of that range.

California Surgical Tech pay has climbed from $58,270 a year in 2015 to $81,310 in 2025, a gain of $23,040. That is a 40% rise over the decade. Most of the increase came between 2020 and 2023, when pay rose from $63,920 to $78,400. Growth has since leveled off, with 2024 and 2025 figures nearly flat at $81,120 and $81,310.

Nationally, Surgical Tech pay rose 46% over the same decade, a faster pace than California's gain. California still pays more in dollar terms, but the state's rise has been somewhat slower in percentage terms. For someone starting now, the past decade shows pay has moved upward fairly consistently, though nothing about future increases is guaranteed.

Pay runs highest in San Jose, Santa Clara, and Sunnyvale, where Surgical Techs typically earn $106,840 a year, or $51.37 an hour, 31% above the statewide figure. Vallejo and Napa follow closely, with typical pay of $105,260 and $102,490 a year. San Francisco, Oakland, and Fremont also pay well above the state figure, at $99,390 a year. These cities cluster in the San Francisco Bay Area, where housing and general costs run especially high.

Visalia sits at the lower end, with typical pay of $61,270 a year, or $29.46 an hour, the lowest among California's metro areas. That is a spread of $45,570 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities in the state. Los Angeles employs the most Surgical Techs of any California city, at 3,440, with typical pay of $81,580 a year. These figures cover each city's full metro area, and pay differences generally track local living costs.

California's neighbors offer a mixed picture. Oregon pays about the same, with typical Surgical Tech pay of $81,390 a year, essentially matching California. Nevada and Arizona both pay less, at $75,480 and $72,260 a year, or 7% and 11% below California's figure. Licensure as a Surgical Tech can often be transferred or endorsed between neighboring states, which can simplify a move for those relocating along the West Coast.

Surgical Techs in California typically earn $81,310 a year, or $39.09 an hour, well above the national figure. That pay has risen 40% over the past decade, from $58,270 in 2015. Readers considering the field should check California's surgical technologist licensing and registry requirements for current standards, and review city-level pages for local pay figures before deciding where to work.