Surgical Technologist Salary in Lancaster, CA: $86,824 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Lancaster, CA earns a median $86,824/year (≈ $41.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Lancaster's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $76,767 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, surgical technologists in Lancaster, California, can expect a median salary of $86,824, a figure that significantly exceeds the national median of $68,141. The salary range is quite broad, with the lowest earners making around $58,793 while top specialists earn upwards of $134,578. These estimates are informed by 2025 BLS data, adjusted to reflect local economic conditions in Lancaster and surrounding areas. The diverse healthcare settings in Lancaster—ranging from traditional hospitals to ambulatory surgery centers and specialty surgical facilities—contribute to the variation in pay, making this region particularly competitive for skilled surgical technologists.
About the Lancaster Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,793 | $28.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,797 | $34.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,824 | $41.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,783 | $50.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $134,578 | $64.71 |
Median Salary Position
27.42% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lancaster
In Lancaster, CA, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,785 (2026 est.). At $86,824, the local median is 27.42% above the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lancaster: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lancaster Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Lancaster median: $86,824/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lancaster Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $85,122 | +2.00% more |
| National Average | $68,141 | +27.42% more |
Surgical Technologists in Lancaster, CA earn a median of $86,824 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.42% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 2.00% above the California state average of $85,122.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lancaster has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lancaster, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $86,824 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,767 — 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
$61,543
2025 BLS Actual
$82,376
2026 Current Est.
$86,824
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Lancaster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,543 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,340 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,836 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,303 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,228 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,016 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,376 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,824 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,513 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lancaster metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $61,543 (2019) to $82,376 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,513 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,970 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lancaster 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) | $58,793 – $70,797 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,797 – $86,824 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,824 – $105,783 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,783 – $134,578 |
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 Lancaster
With approximately 40 surgical technologists currently employed in Lancaster, the local job market presents promising opportunities but is also influenced by the cost of living index, which stands at 113.1. This higher index indicates that while salaries in Lancaster are robust, purchasing power takes a hit due to elevated living costs. Among local employers, surgical technologists typically find the highest wages in specialty surgical centers that focus on fields like orthopedic and cardiology surgeries, which often offer lucrative incentives for specialized skills. Factors affecting salary diversity include specialty expertise—where cardiovascular and neurosurgery roles command premium rates—and certifications in robotic surgery, which are becoming increasingly valued. For those looking to maximize their surgical technologist pay in Lancaster CA, honing skills in high-demand specialties, securing certifications, and exploring opportunities at military or VA surgical units can provide substantial financial benefits.
More salary data for Lancaster, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Lancaster, CA in 2026?
Is Lancaster, CA a good place to work as a surgical technologist?
Can surgical technologists make $100K in Lancaster?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted surgical technologist salary in Lancaster?
How much does a surgical technologist make per hour in Lancaster?
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 $82,376 for surgical technologistsin the Lancaster 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 Lancaster 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