Surgical Technologist Salary in San Clemente, CA: $84,619 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in San Clemente, CA earns a median $84,619/year (≈ $40.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in San Clemente's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $74,818 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The surgical technologist salary in San Clemente, CA, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $84,619 in 2026, significantly outpacing the national median of $68,141 by 24.18%. Local estimates indicate a salary range from $57,579 at the 10th percentile to $129,693 at the 90th percentile. With surgical technologists engaged in specialized fields like cardiovascular and neurosurgery often earning the highest premiums, those with focused experience in these areas can expect to command salaries toward the upper end of this spectrum. This vibrant snapshot of the San Clemente job market reflects the demand for skilled professionals and the value placed on specialized training and certification in a location characterized by advanced medical facilities.
About the San Clemente Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,579 | $27.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,327 | $34.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,619 | $40.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,637 | $51.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $129,693 | $62.35 |
Median Salary Position
24.18% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Clemente
In San Clemente, CA, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,114 (2026 est.). At $84,619, the local median is 24.18% above the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Clemente: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Clemente Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
San Clemente median: $84,619/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Clemente Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $85,130 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | +24.18% more |
Surgical Technologists in San Clemente, CA earn a median of $84,619 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.18% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 0.60% below the California state average of $85,130.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Clemente has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Clemente, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,619 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,818 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,980
2025 BLS Actual
$80,284
2026 Current Est.
$84,619
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in San Clemente (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,731 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,266 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,493 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,267 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,731 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,284 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,619 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,189 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Clemente metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $59,980 (2019) to $80,284 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,189 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,209 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Clemente 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) | $57,579 – $72,327 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,327 – $84,619 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,619 – $106,637 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,637 – $129,693 |
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 San Clemente
In San Clemente, the job market for surgical technologists remains robust with only 10 professionals currently employed in the area, indicating a niche yet stable demand. A cost-of-living index of 113.1 suggests that while salaries are competitive, they must be viewed against local expenses. Specialty surgical centers, particularly those focused on orthopedic, ophthalmology, and cardiothoracic surgeries, tend to offer the highest remuneration, along with military or VA surgical units. The variance in pay is often influenced by factors such as the complexity of surgical procedures, call coverage requirements, and additional certifications, such as robotic surgery training or surgical first assistant roles. To enhance earning potential, surgical technologists should seek employment in high-demand specialties, pursue additional certifications, and consider travel surgical tech assignments, especially in trauma centers where higher rates are common.
More salary data for San Clemente, 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 $80,284 for surgical technologistsin the San Clemente 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 San Clemente 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