Surgical Technologist salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Surgical Technologists in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn a median of $78,510 a year ($37.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,490 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $64,650. Pay here is 3% lower than the California statewide median of $81,310. There are 0.85 surgical technologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $80,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical technologists in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,720 | $23.90 |
| 25th percentile | $64,590 | $31.05 |
| Median | $78,510 | $37.75 |
| 75th percentile | $95,760 | $46.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,490 | $51.68 |
| Average (mean) | $80,340 | $38.63 |
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 | $6,542.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,271.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,019.62 |
| Weekly | $1,509.81 |
| Hourly | $37.75 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $78,510 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 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $82,260 | 1,110 |
| 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 |
| 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $79,010 | $37.99 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $56,580 | $27.20 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $59,560 | $28.64 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $110,770 | $53.26 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $53,640 | $25.79 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $61,950 | $29.78 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $58,490 | $28.12 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $132,490 | $63.70 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $63,510 | $30.53 |
| Dietetic Technician | $40,490 | $19.47 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $55,680 | $26.77 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $125,660 | $60.42 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $60,800 | $29.23 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $39,310 | $18.90 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median salary for surgical technologists in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $78,510 a year, or $37.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical technologists make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The top 10% of surgical technologists in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn at least $107,490 a year. The top 25% earn $95,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical technologists in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,720 a year, and a quarter of surgical technologists earn $64,590 or less.
How many surgical technologists work in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
About 170 surgical technologists are employed in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.