Surgical Technologist Salary in San Jose, CA: $112,609 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in San Jose, CA earns a median $112,609/year (≈ $54.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in San Jose's price level (10% above national, BEA RPP 110.4), that paycheck buys what $101,980 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 32.3% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Jose, CA, the projected compensation for surgical technologists highlights significant potential for career growth. With a median annual salary reaching $112,609 in 2026, professionals in this field enjoy earnings well above the national average, reflecting the region's advanced healthcare environment. The salary spectrum in this city ranges from $81,833 at the lowest 10th percentile to an impressive $140,688 at the 90th percentile. Such figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, underscore the increasing demand for skilled surgical technologists, particularly those with specialized certifications. The trend toward robotic surgery certification, like the da Vinci system, continues to elevate both expertise and compensation levels, making San Jose a promising location for those entering or advancing in the surgical technology profession.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,833 | $39.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,934 | $41.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $112,609 | $54.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $130,570 | $62.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $140,688 | $67.64 |
Median Salary Position
65.26% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Jose
In San Jose, CA, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,855 (2026 est.). At $112,609, the local median is 65.26% above the national median of $68,141.
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At 40 hours/week in San Jose: You'd be above the median
How San Jose Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
San Jose median: $112,609/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Jose Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $85,117 | +32.30% more |
| National Average | $68,141 | +65.26% more |
Surgical Technologists in San Jose, CA earn a median of $112,609 per year (2026 est.), which is 65.26% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 32.30% above the California state average of $85,117.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Jose has a cost of living 10.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Jose, CA has a cost-of-living index of 110.423 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $112,609 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $101,980 — a 9.44% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,680
2025 BLS Actual
$106,840
2026 Current Est.
$112,609
2019–2027 Growth
+72.8%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in San Jose (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,680 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,540 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,320 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,190 | Actual |
| 2025 | $106,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $112,609 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $118,690 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Jose metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 55.6% from $68,680 (2019) to $106,840 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $118,690 by 2027 — a total increase of $50,010 (72.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Jose 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) | $81,833 – $86,934 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,934 – $112,609 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $112,609 – $130,570 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $130,570 – $140,688 |
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 Jose
With around 700 surgical technologists currently employed in San Jose, the job market remains robust. However, the cost of living, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 110.423, impacts the take-home purchasing power of these professionals. Employers in the region, including hospital operating rooms and specialized surgical centers like those focusing on orthopedic and cardiovascular procedures, offer varying pay scales. The disparity in earnings often stems from specialization—surgical technologists working in high-demand fields such as neurosurgery or trauma may command higher salaries due to additional responsibilities and certification requirements. Strategies for maximizing earnings in this competitive market include pursuing certifications in robotic surgery and considering roles as a surgical first assistant or opting for travel surgical tech positions, which typically offer higher pay. This proactive approach can enhance the overall surgical technologist pay in San Jose, CA, positioning professionals favorably in a thriving healthcare sector.
More salary data for San Jose, 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 $106,840 for surgical technologistsin the San Jose 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