Surgical Technologist Salary in Petaluma, CA: $104,350 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Petaluma, CA earns a median $104,350/year (≈ $50.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Petaluma's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $92,263 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 22.6% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Surgical technologists in Petaluma, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $104,350 in 2026, which reflects a notable increase compared to the national median of $68,141. This regional compensation not only highlights the demand for skilled professionals but also emphasizes the lucrative opportunities available in specialized surgical fields like cardiovascular and neurosurgery, where individuals can command higher salaries. The salary range for surgical technologists in Petaluma extends from $77,110 (P10) to $157,262 (P90), showcasing a diverse set of pay scales that depend on experience, specialty, and type of employer. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, indicate a vibrant job market in Petaluma, pushing professionals to adapt to specialized skill sets that further raise their earning potential.
About the Petaluma Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,110 | $37.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,711 | $43.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,350 | $50.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $129,660 | $62.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $157,262 | $75.60 |
Median Salary Position
53.14% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Petaluma
In Petaluma, CA, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $80,152 (2026 est.). At $104,350, the local median is 53.14% above the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Petaluma: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Petaluma Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Petaluma median: $104,350/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Petaluma Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $85,114 | +22.60% more |
| National Average | $68,141 | +53.14% more |
Surgical Technologists in Petaluma, CA earn a median of $104,350 per year (2026 est.), which is 53.14% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 22.60% above the California state average of $85,114.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Petaluma has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Petaluma, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $104,350 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $92,263 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,966
2025 BLS Actual
$99,004
2026 Current Est.
$104,350
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Petaluma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,966 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,125 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,318 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,696 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,817 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,501 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,004 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,350 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,985 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Petaluma metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $73,966 (2019) to $99,004 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,985 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,019 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Petaluma 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) | $77,110 – $89,711 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,711 – $104,350 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,350 – $129,660 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $129,660 – $157,262 |
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 Petaluma
Employment for surgical technologists in Petaluma stands at a modest count of 12 professionals, which implies a tight-knit local job market. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, living expenses in the area are above the national average, impacting take-home pay and purchasing power. To maximize earnings, surgical technologists should consider working in environments such as hospital operating rooms or specialty surgical centers, particularly those focused on orthopedics, ophthalmology, or cardiothoracic procedures, as these settings often offer competitive salaries. The spread in pay can be influenced by specialization in fields like robotic surgery, call coverage requirements, and additional roles such as surgical first assistant. For those looking to enhance their earnings further, certifications in robotic surgery or taking on travel tech assignments can offer significant pay boosts while also enriching their professional experience in the Petaluma market.
More salary data for Petaluma, 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 $99,004 for surgical technologistsin the Petaluma 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 Petaluma 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