Entry-Level Surgical Technologist Salary in Concord, CA: $59,729 (2026)
Quick Answer:New surgical technologists entering the Concord, CA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $59,729 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2055, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Concord's local price level (BEA RPP 113.1 — 13% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $52,811 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($87,236) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Concord, California, new graduates entering the surgical technologist field can anticipate a starting salary around $59,729 in 2026. This entry-level pay is notably lower than the city median of $87,236, establishing a clear gap that early-career professionals should consider. However, with experience and skill development, new surgical technologists can progress from the P10 threshold to the P25 level of $71,631 within their first few years. Given Concord's healthy healthcare market and projected growth rate of 5.40% for surgical technologist positions, this region presents promising opportunities for recent graduates looking to advance their careers in surgical technology.
About the Concord Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Concord
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Concord
Entry-level surgical technologists in Concord, CA typically start between $59,729 and $71,631 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $73,103 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $87,236 — 28.02% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average surgical services program cost in California of $14,000 represents just 23.44% of the starting surgical technologist pay ($59,729/year) in Concord. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAAHEP/ARC-STSA-accredited surgical technology program data and community college tuition reports. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary by institution type (community college vs. private vocational) and program length.
Surg Tech, CST Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Concord
- 1Research the Concord market: entry-level surgical technologist pay ranges from $59,729 to $71,631, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the surgical services field — employers in CA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Concord, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Concord for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Factor in Concord's above-average cost of living (index: 113.1) when evaluating offers — a slightly lower salary in a nearby affordable area may provide better purchasing power.
Surgical Technologist Compensation Range
The surgical technologist wage spread in Concord is $73,103 ( 122.39%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $59,729, experienced hygienists can earn up to $132,832.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$41,225
2025 BLS Actual
$56,669
2026 Current Est.
$59,729
2019–2027 Growth
+52.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Concord (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,225 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,089 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,555 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,936 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,131 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,669 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,729 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,954 | Projected |
Entry-level surgical technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Concord, CA grew 37.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $41,225 in 2019 to $56,669 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $62,954. New graduates entering the Concord job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Concord metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.40% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your surgical services Career in Concord
Employers in Concord that frequently hire new graduates include hospital operating rooms, which are known for offering positions to candidates with general specialty rotations. Ambulatory surgery centers also provide appealing no-call lifestyle job opportunities for entry-level surgical technologists. To enhance starting pay and employment prospects in California, obtaining a diploma or associate's degree from a CAAHEP-accredited program and securing CST certification through the NBSTSA are vital prerequisites since 2021. While specialty surgical centers may focus on recruiting experienced surgical technologists, there’s a growing demand for skilled professionals in areas such as cardiovascular and neurosurgery, which command higher wages. In the early years of their careers, those who pursue certifications like the robotic surgery (da Vinci) qualification often see a significant boost in their earning potential. With realistic expectations of steady salary growth in the first three years, new graduates have avenues to build rewarding careers while establishing themselves in the Concord job market.
More salary data for Concord, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new surgical services graduates. A 5.40% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Concord. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Concord is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.40%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for surgical technologists (SOC 29-2055).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Thompson, BA, CST, a licensed surgical technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov