Surgical Technologist Salary in Laguna Niguel, CA: $82,618 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Laguna Niguel, CA earns a median $82,618/year (≈ $39.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Laguna Niguel's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $73,049 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Laguna Niguel, the projected median annual salary for surgical technologists in 2026 is set at $82,618, significantly above the national median of $68,141 by about 21.25%. Salaries in this area display a wide range, with figures spanning from $59,432 at the lower end (P10) to as high as $125,925 at the upper end (P90). These local estimates, based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price parity, reflect not just the high demand for surgical technologists but also the additional value placed on certifications, particularly in robotic surgery. Employers are increasingly looking for candidates with specialized training, which plays a crucial role in salary negotiations and overall job market competitiveness in Laguna Niguel.
About the Laguna Niguel Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,432 | $28.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,068 | $33.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,618 | $39.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,505 | $49.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,925 | $60.54 |
Median Salary Position
21.25% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Laguna Niguel
In Laguna Niguel, CA, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,493 (2026 est.). At $82,618, the local median is 21.25% above the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Laguna Niguel: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Laguna Niguel Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Laguna Niguel median: $82,618/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Laguna Niguel Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $85,085 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | +21.25% more |
Surgical Technologists in Laguna Niguel, CA earn a median of $82,618 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.25% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 2.90% below the California state average of $85,085.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Laguna Niguel has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Laguna Niguel, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $82,618 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,049 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$58,561
2025 BLS Actual
$78,385
2026 Current Est.
$82,618
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Laguna Niguel (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,561 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,271 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,849 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,487 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,655 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,385 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,618 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,079 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Laguna Niguel metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $58,561 (2019) to $78,385 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,079 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,518 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Laguna Niguel 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) | $59,432 – $70,068 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,068 – $82,618 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,618 – $103,505 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,505 – $125,925 |
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 Laguna Niguel
The job market in Laguna Niguel consists of 16 surgical technologists, reflecting a smaller yet focused workforce in this field. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the take-home purchasing power of surgical technologists can vary considerably. Facilities such as hospital operating rooms and specialty surgical centers tend to offer higher compensation, especially for those with expertise in lucrative fields like cardiovascular or neurosurgery. Notably, factors influencing the pay range include certifications like robotic surgery, roles in call coverage, and travel surgical tech positions. For those looking to maximize their surgical technologist pay in Laguna Niguel, pursuing advanced certifications, seeking employment in high-demand specialties, and negotiating for additional stipends can be effective strategies for enhancing overall compensation.
More salary data for Laguna Niguel, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Laguna Niguel, CA in 2026?
Is Laguna Niguel, CA a good place to work as a surgical technologist?
Can surgical technologists make $100K in Laguna Niguel?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted surgical technologist salary in Laguna Niguel?
How much does a surgical technologist make per hour in Laguna Niguel?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $78,385 for surgical technologistsin the Laguna Niguel 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 Laguna Niguel 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