Surgical Technologist salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Surgical Technologists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median of $82,260 a year ($39.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,110 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,430 for the top 10%. That is 27% higher than the national median of $64,650. Pay here is 1% higher than the California statewide median of $81,310. There are 0.72 surgical technologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $82,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical technologists in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,300 | $29.95 |
| 25th percentile | $66,740 | $32.09 |
| Median | $82,260 | $39.55 |
| 75th percentile | $96,390 | $46.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,430 | $48.76 |
| Average (mean) | $82,720 | $39.77 |
Half of surgical technologists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,855 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,427.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,163.85 |
| Weekly | $1,581.92 |
| Hourly | $39.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $82,260 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Surgical Technologist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $106,840 | 700 |
| Vallejo, CA | $105,260 | 100 |
| Napa, CA | $102,490 | 60 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $100,130 | 80 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $99,960 | 120 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $99,390 | 1,440 |
| Redding, CA | $89,940 | 80 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $82,300 | 170 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $81,580 | 3,440 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $80,730 | 100 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $80,060 | 200 |
| Modesto, CA | $79,950 | 120 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $78,510 | 170 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $78,470 | 240 |
| Chico, CA | $78,050 | 90 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $77,490 | 1,190 |
| Salinas, CA | $72,780 | 120 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $65,980 | 1,020 |
| Fresno, CA | $64,380 | 520 |
| Visalia, CA | $61,270 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for surgical technologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $82,640 |
| Oregon | $81,390 |
| California | $81,310 |
| Massachusetts | $80,870 |
| Alaska | $80,380 |
| Minnesota | $80,210 |
| Connecticut | $79,890 |
| New York | $79,550 |
| District of Columbia | $77,520 |
| Washington | $77,270 |
See Surgical Technologist pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $79,720 | $38.33 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $54,500 | $26.20 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $60,280 | $28.98 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $113,480 | $54.56 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $43,620 | $20.97 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $61,480 | $29.56 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $60,280 | $28.98 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $48,120 | $23.13 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $129,630 | $62.32 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $58,240 | $28.00 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $74,830 | $35.98 |
| Dietetic Technician | $39,630 | $19.05 |
| Paramedic | $70,630 | $33.96 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2055. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a surgical technologist make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median salary for surgical technologists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $82,260 a year, or $39.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical technologists make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The top 10% of surgical technologists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn at least $101,430 a year. The top 25% earn $96,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical technologists in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,300 a year, and a quarter of surgical technologists earn $66,740 or less.
How many surgical technologists work in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
About 1,110 surgical technologists are employed in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.