Surgical Technologists Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $82,430 +31.2% vs national
Median hourly $39.63
10th percentile $60,960
90th percentile $98,040
Employed locally 960
National median $62,830

Compare Surgical Technologists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how San Diego, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Surgical Technologists
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San Diego, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $60,960
    25th
    $65,670
    50th (median)
    $82,430
    75th
    $95,030
    90th
    $98,040

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Surgical Technologists salary vs area income 81% Median Surgical Technologists salary is 19% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Surgical Technologists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Bend, OR $103,320
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $103,190
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $101,820
    Vallejo, CA $101,470
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $100,130
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $98,820

    Nearby metros — Surgical Technologists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $103,190
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $101,820
    Vallejo, CA $101,470
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $100,130
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $98,820
    Napa, CA $97,850

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $133,090
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $77,280
    Physicians, All Other $323,050
    Pharmacy Technicians $49,540
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $70,240
    Pharmacists $163,860

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Surgical Technologists make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Surgical Technologists in San Diego, CA is $39.63, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $48.76 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Surgical Technologists salaries?

    The median Surgical Technologists salary in San Diego, CA is 31.2% above the national median of $62,830. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Surgical Technologists in San Diego?

    Entry-level Surgical Technologists (10th percentile) earn around $60,960 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $65,670.