Surgical Technologist Salary in San Diego, CA: $86,702 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in San Diego, CA earns a median $86,702/year (≈ $41.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in San Diego's price level (12% above national, BEA RPP 111.9), that paycheck buys what $77,491 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Diego, the surgical technologist salary in 2026 is projected to reach a median annual figure of $86,702, significantly higher than the national median of $68,141. This encompasses a salary range from $65,664 at the lower end (P10) to $106,907 at the upper end (P90). Data collected from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys highlights the robust compensation landscape in the region. Factors contributing to this favorable pay include the diverse settings where surgical technologists can find employment, such as hospital operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical centers, which can all affect salary variances. The competitive compensation in this Southern California city illustrates the growing demand for surgical technologists and emphasizes San Diego's status as a desirable location for professionals in healthcare.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,664 | $31.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,344 | $33.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,702 | $41.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,595 | $48.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,907 | $51.39 |
Median Salary Position
27.24% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Diego
In San Diego, CA, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,243 (2026 est.). At $86,702, the local median is 27.24% above the national median of $68,141.
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At 40 hours/week in San Diego: You'd be above the median
How San Diego Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
San Diego median: $86,702/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Diego Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $85,085 | +1.90% more |
| National Average | $68,141 | +27.24% more |
Surgical Technologists in San Diego, CA earn a median of $86,702 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.24% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 1.90% above the California state average of $85,085.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Diego has a cost of living 11.89% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Diego, CA has a cost-of-living index of 111.887 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $86,702 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,491 — a 10.62% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,790
2025 BLS Actual
$82,260
2026 Current Est.
$86,702
2019–2027 Growth
+45.5%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in San Diego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,790 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,980 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,430 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,260 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,702 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,384 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Diego metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 31.0% from $62,790 (2019) to $82,260 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,384 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,594 (45.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Diego 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) | $65,664 – $70,344 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,344 – $86,702 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,702 – $101,595 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,595 – $106,907 |
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 Diego
Going deeper into the local job market, San Diego employs approximately 1,110 surgical technologists, reflecting a healthy demand for these professionals. However, it's essential to recognize the cost of living index in the area, which stands at 111.887, indicating a higher-than-average cost for housing and other expenses. This statistic directly impacts take-home purchasing power, making it critical for surgical technologists to strategically consider their employment options. Among the best-paying employers are specialized surgical centers focusing on areas like orthopedic and cardiovascular procedures, where experience and advanced certifications, such as robotic surgery training, can drive pay upward. For those looking to maximize their pay in this market, pursuing advanced roles like surgical first assistant or gaining experience in trauma centers can provide significant financial benefits due to the variations in specialty pay and call coverage incentives.
More salary data for San Diego, 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 $82,260 for surgical technologistsin the San Diego 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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