Surgical Technologist Salary in Alameda, CA: $82,638 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Alameda, CA earns a median $82,638/year (≈ $39.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Alameda's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $73,066 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Alameda, California, surgical technologists can expect a median annual salary of $82,638 in 2026, which is significantly higher than the national median of $68,141. The salary range for this role in the area varies widely, from $59,817 at the 10th percentile to $125,783 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse range of opportunities based on experience and specialty. These figures are drawn from local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations. As healthcare facilities continue to evolve, surgical technologists in Alameda are poised to benefit from this competitive salary landscape, particularly in specialty surgical centers.
About the Alameda Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,817 | $28.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,109 | $33.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,638 | $39.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,681 | $49.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,783 | $60.47 |
Median Salary Position
21.28% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Alameda
In Alameda, CA, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,966 (2026 est.). At $82,638, the local median is 21.28% above the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Alameda: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Alameda Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Alameda median: $82,638/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Alameda Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $85,106 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | +21.28% more |
Surgical Technologists in Alameda, CA earn a median of $82,638 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.28% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 2.90% below the California state average of $85,106.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Alameda has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Alameda, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $82,638 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,066 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,576
2025 BLS Actual
$78,404
2026 Current Est.
$82,638
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Alameda (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,576 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,286 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,855 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,865 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,505 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,676 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,404 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,638 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,100 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alameda metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $58,576 (2019) to $78,404 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,100 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,524 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alameda 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $59,817 – $70,109 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,109 – $82,638 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,638 – $103,681 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,681 – $125,783 |
Surg Tech, CST salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual surgical technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Surgical Technologist Job Market in Alameda
The local job market currently employs 12 surgical technologists, highlighting both a concentrated workforce and limited opportunities, which can affect salary negotiations. The cost of living index in Alameda stands at 113.1, indicating a higher-than-average cost for goods and services. This reality places added pressure on take-home pay and necessitates strategic decisions on employment. Facilities like hospital operating rooms often offer competitive pay, while ambulatory surgery centers or specialty centers focusing on orthopedic or cardiothoracic procedures may yield higher salaries for surgical technologists. Variations in compensation primarily arise from the complexity of surgical specialties, call coverage requirements, and unique incentives, such as robotic surgery certification stipends. For those looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing certifications in high-demand areas, like cardiovascular or neurosurgery, and gaining experience in trauma center environments are effective strategies in the Alameda market.
More salary data for Alameda, 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $78,404 for surgical technologistsin the Alameda metropolitan area. A 5.40% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Alameda 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