Surgical Technologist Salary in Norwalk, CA: $84,465 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Norwalk, CA earns a median $84,465/year (≈ $40.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Norwalk's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $74,682 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Norwalk, California, surgical technologists are projected to earn a median annual salary of $84,465 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $68,141. This attractive compensation reflects local market conditions and the demand for specialized skills, particularly in cardiovascular and neurosurgery, which command a premium in pay. The salary range for surgical technologists in this area spans from $60,100 at the 10th percentile to $128,310 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating a robust earning potential for those with advanced certifications or specialized skills. Such estimates are derived from the latest state-level data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), adjusted for regional price levels, which indicates a strong prospect for surgical technologist positions in Norwalk.
About the Norwalk Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,100 | $28.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,308 | $33.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,465 | $40.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,284 | $50.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128,310 | $61.69 |
Median Salary Position
23.96% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Norwalk
In Norwalk, CA, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,210 (2026 est.). At $84,465, the local median is 23.96% above the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Norwalk: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Norwalk Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Norwalk median: $84,465/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Norwalk Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $85,061 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | +23.96% more |
Surgical Technologists in Norwalk, CA earn a median of $84,465 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.96% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 0.70% below the California state average of $85,061.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Norwalk has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Norwalk, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,465 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,682 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,871
2025 BLS Actual
$80,138
2026 Current Est.
$84,465
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Norwalk (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,871 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,619 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,156 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,366 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,130 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,571 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,138 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,465 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,027 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Norwalk metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $59,871 (2019) to $80,138 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,027 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,156 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Norwalk 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) | $60,100 – $69,308 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,308 – $84,465 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,465 – $105,284 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,284 – $128,310 |
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 Norwalk
The job market in Norwalk consists of 22 surgical technologists, revealing a compact yet significant community with strong competition. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, take-home purchasing power may be a concern for both new and seasoned surgical technologists, making it crucial to maximize earnings in this environment. Employers offering the highest pay typically include hospital operating rooms, specialty surgical centers, and ambulatory surgery centers—particularly those focused on orthopedic, ophthalmology, and cardiothoracic procedures. Factors contributing to the pay range include specialty certifications, call coverage requirements, and experience with advanced technologies such as robotic surgery. To enhance earning potential, technicians should consider pursuing further training in specialties like cardiovascular or neurosurgery, obtaining robotic surgery certification, and exploring opportunities within travel surgical tech agencies, which often provide premiums for flexibility and crisis availability.
More salary data for Norwalk, 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
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 $80,138 for surgical technologistsin the Norwalk 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 Norwalk 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