Salaries › Surgical Technologist › California
Surgical Technologist Salary in California (2026)
$39.09 per hour · take-home ≈ $62,546/year ($5,212/month) for a single filer
California is among the top 5 highest-paying states for Surgical Technologists (3rd of 51), with a median about 20% above the national average. Of the 11,920 Surgical Technologist jobs BLS counts in California, the typical worker earns $81,310 a year — though pay ranges from $49,140 for newcomers to $115,740 at the top.
Surgical Technologist pay range in California
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $49,140 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $64,380 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $81,310 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $99,260 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $115,740 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 11,920 Surgical Technologist jobs in California (occupation code 29-2055, “Surgical Technologists”).
Gross vs. take-home in California
A median Surgical Technologist salary of $81,310 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus California state income tax, a single filer keeps about $62,546 — an effective tax rate of 23.1%.
| Gross (median) | $81,310 |
| Federal income tax | −$9,058 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$6,220 |
| California state income tax | −$3,485 |
| Take-home (annual) | $62,546 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $5,212 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free California paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Surgical Technologist make in California?
- The median Surgical Technologist salary in California is $81,310 per year ($39.09 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $64,380 and $99,260.
- What is the take-home pay for a Surgical Technologist in California?
- On the median salary of $81,310, a single filer in California takes home about $62,546 per year ($5,212 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 23.1%.
- How many Surgical Technologist jobs are there in California?
- BLS counts 11,920 Surgical Technologist jobs in California in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Surgical Technologists
Other salaries in California
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified California state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for California.