Surgical Technologist Salary in Brea, CA: $80,731 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Brea, CA earns a median $80,731/year (≈ $38.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Brea's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $71,380 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, surgical technologists in Brea, California, can expect a median annual salary of $80,731, outpacing the national median of $68,141 by approximately 18.48%. The salary range reflects a variety of roles and responsibilities within the field, ranging from $59,776 at the 10th percentile to $118,744 at the 90th percentile. These figures are calculated using estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities. Brea’s medical landscape includes a mix of operating rooms in hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), and specialty surgical centers, each offering differing salary scales that can influence overall compensation for surgical technologists in the area.
About the Brea Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,776 | $28.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,259 | $33.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,731 | $38.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,422 | $47.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $118,744 | $57.08 |
Median Salary Position
18.48% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brea
In Brea, CA, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,968 (2026 est.). At $80,731, the local median is 18.48% above the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brea: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brea Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Brea median: $80,731/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brea Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $85,070 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | +18.48% more |
Surgical Technologists in Brea, CA earn a median of $80,731 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.48% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 5.10% below the California state average of $85,070.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brea has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brea, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,731 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,380 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,224
2025 BLS Actual
$76,595
2026 Current Est.
$80,731
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Brea (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,224 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,895 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,497 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,299 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,809 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,699 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,595 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,731 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,091 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brea metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $57,224 (2019) to $76,595 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,091 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,867 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brea 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $59,776 – $69,259 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,259 – $80,731 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,731 – $99,422 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,422 – $118,744 |
Surg Tech, CST salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual surgical technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Surgical Technologist Job Market in Brea
The local job market employs around 10 surgical technologists, suggesting a tight-knit community where networking and reputation can significantly impact career advancement. However, the cost of living in Brea, reflected in the higher cost of living index of 113.1, can eat into take-home pay. Among local employers, hospitals typically provide the most competitive wages, particularly for roles in specialized areas like cardiovascular or neurosurgery, where surgical technologists with advanced certifications, including robotic surgery and first assistant credentials, often see higher salaries. To maximize their earnings, surgical technologists in Brea should consider pursuing certifications in emerging technologies and specialties, explore positions that offer call coverage or trauma center designations, and stay informed about the latest advancements in surgical techniques.
More salary data for Brea, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Brea, CA in 2026?
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Can surgical technologists make $100K in Brea?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $76,595 for surgical technologistsin the Brea metropolitan area. A 5.40% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brea 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