California pays surgical technologists more than any other state — its $81,120 median leads all 51 states and D.C. reporting wage data.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $57,070 to $114,390 — a $57,320 spread, 21% wider than the national $47,410 range.
Surgical Technologists are less concentrated in California than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.79 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.27× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $57,070 | $27.44 |
| 25th percentile | $66,660 | $32.05 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $81,120 | $39.00 |
| 75th percentile | $96,830 | $46.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $114,390 | $55.00 |
| Mean (average) | $83,240 | $40.02 |
How California Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. California |
|---|---|---|
| California (current) | $81,120 | n/a |
| Connecticut | $80,590 | -1% |
| Oregon | $79,410 | -2% |
| Alaska | $79,040 | -3% |
| Massachusetts | $78,300 | -3% |
| Minnesota | $77,950 | -4% |
| Nevada | $76,740 | -5% |
| Hawaii | $76,200 | -6% |
| New York | $75,250 | -7% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in California
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $81,240 | 6,650 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $80,970 | 19,310 |
| Fundraisers | $80,810 | 10,570 |
| Public Relations Specialists | $81,490 | 31,070 |
| Human Resources Specialists | $81,810 | 104,880 |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School | $81,860 | 3,420 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Surgical Technologists salary in California?
The mean surgical technologists salary in California is $83,240 per year. The median (middle) salary is $81,120 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Surgical Technologists in California?
Entry-level surgical technologistss (10th percentile) in California typically earn around $57,070 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $66,660 per year.
What is the highest Surgical Technologists salary in California?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in California make approximately $114,390 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $96,830 per year.
How does the California Surgical Technologists salary compare to the national average?
The median surgical technologists salary in California is $81,120, which is +29% above national average of $62,830.