Surgical Technologist Salary in Lake Elsinore, CA: $84,828 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Lake Elsinore, CA earns a median $84,828/year (≈ $40.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Lake Elsinore's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $75,003 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Surgical technologists in Lake Elsinore, California, can expect a median annual salary of $84,828 as of 2026, which reflects a notable premium compared to the national median of $68,141. In this city, pay ranges from $58,145 for those at the lower tenth percentile to as high as $130,434 for the top ten percent of earners. This robust salary structure, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS data, indicates a healthy demand for surgical technologists in the local healthcare market. Additionally, professionals specializing in cardiovascular and neurosurgery are likely to earn higher wages, as these areas command a premium due to their complexity and the skills required, making Lake Elsinore an attractive location for those seeking a fruitful career in surgical technology.
About the Lake Elsinore Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,145 | $27.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,524 | $33.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,828 | $40.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,128 | $49.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $130,434 | $62.71 |
Median Salary Position
24.49% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Elsinore
In Lake Elsinore, CA, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,289 (2026 est.). At $84,828, the local median is 24.49% above the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Elsinore: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake Elsinore Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Lake Elsinore median: $84,828/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Elsinore Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $85,083 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | +24.49% more |
Surgical Technologists in Lake Elsinore, CA earn a median of $84,828 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.49% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 0.30% below the California state average of $85,083.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Elsinore has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Elsinore, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,828 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,003 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,128
2025 BLS Actual
$80,482
2026 Current Est.
$84,828
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Lake Elsinore (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,128 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,883 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,414 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,664 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,453 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,947 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,482 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,828 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,409 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Elsinore metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $60,128 (2019) to $80,482 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,409 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,281 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Elsinore 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) | $58,145 – $69,524 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,524 – $84,828 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,828 – $102,128 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,128 – $130,434 |
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 Lake Elsinore
The local job market shows promise, with 18 surgical technologists currently employed in Lake Elsinore. However, the cost of living index of 113.1 indicates that expenses are somewhat higher than the national average, which can impact take-home compensation. Employers in hospital operating rooms typically offer the best salaries, while ambulatory surgery centers, specialty surgical centers, and military surgical units also provide competitive pay. Factors influencing the wide pay scale include specialization, with cardiovascular and neuro specialties commanding higher rates than orthopedic and general surgery. Additional distinctions arise from call coverage shifts, certifications in robotic surgery, and roles as surgical first assistants. For those looking to maximize their surgical technologist pay in Lake Elsinore, pursuing advanced certifications and seeking positions in high-demand areas such as trauma centers can prove beneficial.
More salary data for Lake Elsinore, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Lake Elsinore, CA in 2026?
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Can surgical technologists make $100K in Lake Elsinore?
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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 $80,482 for surgical technologistsin the Lake Elsinore 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 Lake Elsinore 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