Surg Tech Salary

San Francisco vs Victorville: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

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

San Francisco, CA
$104,757
$50.37/hr
Victorville, CA
$83,798
$40.28/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CAVictorville, CA
Median Salary$104,757$83,798
Hourly Rate$50.37$40.28
Entry Level (P10)$65,949$58,689
25th Percentile$81,875$67,987
75th Percentile$121,990$103,729
Top Earner (P90)$130,201$125,970
Total Employed1,44030
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($104,757) and Victorville ($83,798) surgical technologist salaries.San FranciscoVictorvilleMedian Salary$104,757$83,798Entry Level (P10)$65,949$58,689Top Earner (P90)$130,201$125,970US Median $68,141

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Francisco and Victorville is $20,959 (25.01%). 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 San Francisco spans $64,252,Victorville spans $67,281. Victorville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced surgical technologists.

San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$65,949
P25$81,875
Median$104,757
P75$121,990
P90 (Top)$130,201
Victorville
P10 (Entry)$58,689
P25$67,987
Median$83,798
P75$103,729
P90 (Top)$125,970

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($90,610 effective) pays 22.29% more than Victorville ($74,092 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $104,757
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $90,610
Victorville
Nominal: $83,798
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $74,092

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($104,757/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($130,201)
  • Larger job market (1,440 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $90,610)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Victorville if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in San Francisco grew 33.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -8.5% growth in Victorville over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+33.3%

$74,570 (2019) → $99,390 (2025)

Victorville, CA

+-8.5%

$86,880 (2024) → $79,505 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

San Francisco has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $104,757/year, compared to Victorville at $83,798/year — a difference of $20,959 (25.01%).

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

San Francisco surgical technologists earn $50.37/hr while Victorville hygienists earn $40.28/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Victorville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $90,610, Victorville = $74,092), job availability (1,440 vs 30 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $65,949 in San Francisco and $58,689 in Victorville. 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