Surgical Technologist Salary in San Francisco, CA: $104,757 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in San Francisco, CA earns a median $104,757/year (≈ $50.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in San Francisco's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.6), that paycheck buys what $90,610 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 23.1% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, surgical technologists in San Francisco, CA, are projected to earn a median salary of $104,757, a notable increase compared to national earnings in the same year. This compensation reflects the unique structure of healthcare facilities in the area, where professionals are often employed in diverse settings such as hospital operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical centers. Pay ranges accordingly, from $65,949 at the 10th percentile to $130,201 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a healthy demand for skilled technicians. Such data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, which indicate a bright outlook for the surgical technology field in this metropolitan hub.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,949 | $31.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,875 | $39.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,757 | $50.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,990 | $58.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $130,201 | $62.60 |
Median Salary Position
53.74% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Francisco
In San Francisco, CA, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,252 (2026 est.). At $104,757, the local median is 53.74% above the national median of $68,141.
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At 40 hours/week in San Francisco: You'd be above the median
How San Francisco Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
San Francisco median: $104,757/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Francisco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $85,099 | +23.10% more |
| National Average | $68,141 | +53.74% more |
Surgical Technologists in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $104,757 per year (2026 est.), which is 53.74% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 23.10% above the California state average of $85,099.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Francisco has a cost of living 15.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Francisco, CA has a cost-of-living index of 115.613 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $104,757 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $90,610 — a 13.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,570
2025 BLS Actual
$99,390
2026 Current Est.
$104,757
2019–2027 Growth
+48.1%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,570 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,490 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,350 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,430 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,390 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,757 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,414 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Francisco metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.3% from $74,570 (2019) to $99,390 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,414 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,844 (48.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco 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) | $65,949 – $81,875 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,875 – $104,757 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,757 – $121,990 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,990 – $130,201 |
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 San Francisco
With approximately 1,440 surgical technologists currently employed in San Francisco, the local job market remains robust. However, high living costs, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 115.613, significantly impact take-home earnings. Those employed in hospital operating rooms and high-demand specialties such as cardiovascular and neurosurgery are likely to see the highest compensation, often supplemented by additional pay for call coverage or certifications in robotic surgery. Factors influencing the salary disparity include the nature of surgical specialties, geographic location within the city, and hospital or center designation. To maximize pay in San Francisco’s competitive landscape, surgical technologists should consider pursuing advanced certifications and explore opportunities in trauma centers and travel surgical tech agencies, where premium rates for specialized skills can significantly elevate financial rewards.
More salary data for San Francisco, 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 $99,390 for surgical technologistsin the San Francisco 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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