Surg Tech Salary

Hesperia vs San Francisco: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Hesperia, CA and San Francisco, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hesperia, CA
$84,835
$40.79/hr
San Francisco, CA
$104,757
$50.37/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHesperia, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$84,835$104,757
Hourly Rate$40.79$50.37
Entry Level (P10)$58,161$65,949
25th Percentile$69,539$81,875
75th Percentile$107,105$121,990
Top Earner (P90)$130,675$130,201
Total Employed141,440
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hesperia ($84,835) and San Francisco ($104,757) surgical technologist salaries.HesperiaSan FranciscoMedian Salary$84,835$104,757Entry Level (P10)$58,161$65,949Top Earner (P90)$130,675$130,201US Median $68,141

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Hesperia.

The salary gap between Hesperia and San Francisco is $19,922 (23.48%). San Francisco's median is +53.74% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hesperia spans $72,514,San Francisco spans $64,252. Hesperia has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Hesperia
P10 (Entry)$58,161
P25$69,539
Median$84,835
P75$107,105
P90 (Top)$130,675
San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$65,949
P25$81,875
Median$104,757
P75$121,990
P90 (Top)$130,201

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($90,610 effective) pays 20.80% more than Hesperia ($75,009 effective).

Hesperia
Nominal: $84,835
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $75,009
San Francisco
Nominal: $104,757
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $90,610

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hesperia if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($130,675)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($104,757/year)
  • Larger job market (1,440 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $90,610)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Hesperia grew -8.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 33.3% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Hesperia, CA

+-8.5%

$87,954 (2024) → $80,489 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+33.3%

$74,570 (2019) → $99,390 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Hesperia or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $104,757/year, compared to Hesperia at $84,835/year — a difference of $19,922 (23.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hesperia and San Francisco?

Hesperia surgical technologists earn $40.79/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $50.37/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hesperia to San Francisco as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hesperia and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hesperia = $75,009, San Francisco = $90,610), job availability (14 vs 1,440 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Hesperia vs San Francisco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $58,161 in Hesperia and $65,949 in San Francisco. The San Francisco area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JT

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.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Ramirez, AAS, CSTData verified by Fatima Ali, BS, CST

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.40% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jessica Thompson, BA, CST, a licensed surgical technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov