Surgical Technologist Salary in Visalia, CA: $64,579 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Visalia, CA earns a median $64,579/year (≈ $31.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Visalia's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.8), that paycheck buys what $64,692 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 24.1% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Visalia, California, surgical technologists can expect a median annual salary of $64,579 in 2026, reflecting a noteworthy difference of 5.23% below the national median of $68,141. The salary spectrum for this role ranges from $45,206 at the lower end (P10) to $83,593 for those in higher-paying positions (P90). This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected for 2026, indicates a robust compensation environment, particularly for surgical technologists specializing in cardiovascular and neurosurgery, where additional premium pay is available. As Visalia continues to grow as a healthcare hub, the demand for specialized surgical technologists may enhance job security and salary potential in this sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,206 | $21.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,292 | $22.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,579 | $31.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,775 | $33.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,593 | $40.19 |
Median Salary Position
5.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Visalia
In Visalia, CA, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,387 (2026 est.). At $64,579, the local median is 5.23% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Visalia: You'd be above the median
How Visalia Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Visalia median: $64,579/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Visalia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $85,084 | -24.10% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -5.23% less |
Surgical Technologists in Visalia, CA earn a median of $64,579 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.23% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 24.10% below the California state average of $85,084.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Visalia has a cost of living 0.17% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Visalia, CA has a cost-of-living index of 99.825 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $64,579 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,692 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,200
2025 BLS Actual
$61,270
2026 Current Est.
$64,579
2019–2027 Growth
+27.9%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Visalia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,200 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,620 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,480 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,240 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,120 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,270 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,579 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,066 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Visalia metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 15.2% from $53,200 (2019) to $61,270 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,066 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,866 (27.94%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Visalia 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) | $45,206 – $46,292 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,292 – $64,579 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,579 – $69,775 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,775 – $83,593 |
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 Visalia
With approximately 110 surgical technologists employed in the Visalia area, the local job market offers opportunities for those looking to enter or progress within the field. The cost of living index stands at 99.825, which is slightly below the national average, suggesting that while compensation may be lower than nationwide rates, the purchasing power might remain relatively stable for residents. Employers within hospital operating rooms and specialized surgical centers, particularly those focusing on orthopedic and cardiothoracic procedures, typically offer the most competitive pay. Skills in demand, especially for high-impact roles such as robotic surgery certification and surgical first assistant positions, can drive earnings higher. To maximize surgical technologist pay in Visalia, focusing on obtaining advanced certifications and seeking positions that offer additional stipends or call coverage can be strategic ways to enhance overall compensation.
More salary data for Visalia, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Visalia, CA in 2026?
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Can surgical technologists make $100K in Visalia?
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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 $61,270 for surgical technologistsin the Visalia 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