Surg Tech Salary

Riverside vs Roseville: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Riverside, CA and Roseville, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Riverside, CA
$81,674
$39.27/hr
Roseville, CA
$69,256
$33.30/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRiverside, CARoseville, CA
Median Salary$81,674$69,256
Hourly Rate$39.27$33.30
Entry Level (P10)$52,531$50,694
25th Percentile$65,021$59,401
75th Percentile$88,915$84,748
Top Earner (P90)$103,471$107,037
Total Employed1,19035
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Riverside ($81,674) and Roseville ($69,256) surgical technologist salaries.RiversideRosevilleMedian Salary$81,674$69,256Entry Level (P10)$52,531$50,694Top Earner (P90)$103,471$107,037US Median $68,141

Verdict

Riverside, CA offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Roseville.

The salary gap between Riverside and Roseville is $12,418 (17.93%). Riverside's median is +19.86% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Riverside spans $50,940,Roseville spans $56,343. Roseville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced surgical technologists.

Riverside
P10 (Entry)$52,531
P25$65,021
Median$81,674
P75$88,915
P90 (Top)$103,471
Roseville
P10 (Entry)$50,694
P25$59,401
Median$69,256
P75$84,748
P90 (Top)$107,037

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Riverside ($76,731 effective) pays 25.31% more than Roseville ($61,234 effective).

Riverside
Nominal: $81,674
CoL Index: 106.442
Adjusted: $76,731
Roseville
Nominal: $69,256
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $61,234

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Riverside if…

  • Higher median salary ($81,674/year)
  • Larger job market (1,190 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,731)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Roseville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($107,037)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Riverside grew 36.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -25.9% growth in Roseville over the same period.

Riverside, CA

+36.0%

$56,980 (2019) → $77,490 (2025)

Roseville, CA

+-25.9%

$88,733 (2024) → $65,708 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Riverside or Roseville?

Riverside has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $81,674/year, compared to Roseville at $69,256/year — a difference of $12,418 (17.93%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Riverside and Roseville?

Riverside surgical technologists earn $39.27/hr while Roseville hygienists earn $33.30/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Riverside to Roseville as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Riverside and Roseville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Riverside = $76,731, Roseville = $61,234), job availability (1,190 vs 35 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Riverside vs Roseville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $52,531 in Riverside and $50,694 in Roseville. The Riverside 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