Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay in Merced, CA: $39.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a surgical technologist working in Merced, CA runs $39.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,672 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Weighted against Merced's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,603 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Surgical technologists in Merced, California, can expect a median hourly pay of $39.75, reflecting a significant increase compared to the national median hourly rate of $32.76. This appealing hourly wage shapes the work landscape for those in various surgical environments, including hospital operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty clinics. For professionals considering part-time roles, working three days a week can provide substantial earnings, while those in per-diem positions have the flexibility to seek higher rates aligning with their skill level and the complexity of procedures. The hourly range for surgical technologists in Merced varies from $27.64 at the lower end to $59.18 for the top earners, making the field both accessible and potentially lucrative based on experience and specialization.
About the Merced Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.64 | $221.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.87 | $262.99 |
| Median (P50) | $39.75 | $317.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.96 | $391.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.18 | $473.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Merced
Based on $39.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.75/hr, a surgical technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Merced, CA can expect to earn approximately $82,672 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,696. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Merced.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Merced
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,589.85 | $6,889 | $82,672 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $953.91 | $4,134 | $49,603 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $635.94 | $2,756 | $33,069 |
Compare Surg Tech, CST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Surgical Technologist (Merced) | $39.75 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.36 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
| Radiologic Technologist (National Avg) | $36.78 |
Surgical Technologists in Merced, CA earn a median of $82,672 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.32% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 2.80% below the California state average of $85,053.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.75/hr = $49,603/year (purchasing power: $43,858).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,672/year (purchasing power: $73,097).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+48.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Merced (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.31/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.64/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for surgical technologists in Merced grew 33.7% from $28.20/hr (2019) to $37.71/hr (2025). At a 5.40% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.89/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem surgical technologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Merced metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.40% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Surgical Technologist in Merced
Exploring the financial realities for part-time surgical technologists in Merced reveals that working 24 hours a week could yield around $49,560 annually, which may differ markedly from a full-time schedule. Per diem surgical technologists, often billing between $35 to $55 an hour, can find profitable opportunities, particularly in specialized fields such as cardiovascular and neurosurgery, which command rates of $50 to $75 per hour. Travel surgical tech contracts can offer even more, with earnings ranging from $1,800 to $2,800 per week for specialties like cardiology. Employers in Merced—ranging from hospital ORs to ambulatory surgical centers—impact hourly wages, with some facilities offering lower rates but enhanced benefits like health insurance, while others may provide higher pay without the safety net of benefits. Surgical technologists should negotiate effectively by understanding their worth and focusing on the value of benefits versus pay rates, helping to navigate the varying employer types in the local market.
More salary data for Merced, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jessica Thompson, BA, CST
Career Analyst
Jessica has over 10 years of experience as a surgical technologist. She specializes in orthopedic surgical procedures. Jessica works at a community hospital.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.40% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for surgical technologists in Merced. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Merced is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.40%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for surgical technologists (SOC 29-2055).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Thompson, BA, CST, a licensed surgical technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov