Surgical Technologists Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $100,130 +59.4% vs national
Median hourly $48.14
10th percentile $65,260
90th percentile $130,480
Employed locally 80
National median $62,830

Compare Surgical Technologists salary & buying power

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Surgical Technologists
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $65,260
    25th
    $79,130
    50th (median)
    $100,130
    75th
    $107,920
    90th
    $130,480

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Surgical Technologists salary vs area income 92% Median Surgical Technologists salary is 8% 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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $98,820
    Napa, CA $97,850

    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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $98,820
    Napa, CA $97,850
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $95,210

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $178,900
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $79,580
    Pharmacy Technicians $49,420
    Physicians, All Other $305,610
    Nurse Practitioners $159,090
    Dental Hygienists $127,120

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Surgical Technologists make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Surgical Technologists in Santa Cruz, CA is $48.14, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $62.73 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Surgical Technologists salaries?

    The median Surgical Technologists salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 59.4% 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Surgical Technologists (10th percentile) earn around $65,260 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $79,130.