Surgical Technologist Salary in Irvine, CA: $88,389 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Irvine, CA earns a median $88,389/year (≈ $42.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Irvine's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $78,151 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Irvine, California, surgical technologists can expect a competitive median salary of $88,389 in 2026, significantly surpassing the national median of $68,141 for the same year. Local salary estimates reveal a broad range, with the lowest earning around $61,710 and the highest reaching up to $137,004. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, reflect the unique job structure in Irvine, where surgical technologists may be employed in hospital operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), or specialty surgical centers. The variety of clinical settings not only influences income levels but also career growth potential, positioning those who enhance their skills with specialized training in high-demand fields as prime candidates for greater financial rewards.
About the Irvine Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,710 | $29.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,042 | $35.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,389 | $42.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,138 | $54.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $137,004 | $65.86 |
Median Salary Position
29.71% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Irvine
In Irvine, CA, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,294 (2026 est.). At $88,389, the local median is 29.71% above the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Irvine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Irvine Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Irvine median: $88,389/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Irvine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $85,072 | +3.90% more |
| National Average | $68,141 | +29.71% more |
Surgical Technologists in Irvine, CA earn a median of $88,389 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.71% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 3.90% above the California state average of $85,072.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Irvine has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Irvine, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $88,389 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $78,151 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$62,653
2025 BLS Actual
$83,861
2026 Current Est.
$88,389
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Irvine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,653 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,482 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,951 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,589 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,620 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,861 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,389 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,163 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Irvine metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.8% from $62,653 (2019) to $83,861 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,163 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,510 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Irvine 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) | $61,710 – $74,042 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,042 – $88,389 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,389 – $113,138 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,138 – $137,004 |
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 Irvine
The job market for surgical technologists in Irvine incorporates approximately 72 professionals, highlighting a specific niche in the healthcare landscape. With a cost-of-living index at 113.1, the marketplace indeed demands higher salaries to maintain purchasing power, directly influencing how much do surgical technologists make in Irvine. Employers, particularly at hospital operating rooms and specialty surgical centers, offer the most competitive pays—especially in fields such as cardiovascular and neurosurgery, where pay can exceed standard rates. Factors driving salary differences include the nature of surgical specialty, call coverage, the degree of certification such as robotic surgery, and roles like surgical first assistant. Individuals looking to increase their surgical technologist pay in Irvine CA may maximize their earnings through continued education and certification, focusing on high-demand specialties, and seeking out positions in trauma centers or travel surgical tech roles, all of which provide financial incentives aligned with local demand.
More salary data for Irvine, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Irvine, CA in 2026?
Is Irvine, CA a good place to work as a surgical technologist?
Can surgical technologists make $100K in Irvine?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted surgical technologist salary in Irvine?
How much does a surgical technologist make per hour in Irvine?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $83,861 for surgical technologistsin the Irvine 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 Irvine 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