Surgical Technologist Salary in San Luis Obispo, CA: $85,089 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in San Luis Obispo, CA earns a median $85,089/year (≈ $40.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in San Luis Obispo's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.6), that paycheck buys what $78,354 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The 2026 median annual salary for surgical technologists in San Luis Obispo, California, is projected at $85,089, significantly above the national median of $68,141. With salary ranges spanning from $47,651 at the 10th percentile to $113,126 at the 90th percentile, this data reflects insights gathered from official BLS OEWS surveys. Employment options in San Luis Obispo range from hospital operating rooms to ambulatory surgery centers and specialty surgical centers, which can greatly influence earning potential. The area's diverse healthcare settings cater to various surgical specialties, accounting for the competitive compensation landscape for surgical technologists.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,651 | $22.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,569 | $31.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,089 | $40.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,271 | $49.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,126 | $54.39 |
Median Salary Position
24.87% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Luis Obispo
In San Luis Obispo, CA, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,475 (2026 est.). At $85,089, the local median is 24.87% above the national median of $68,141.
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At 40 hours/week in San Luis Obispo: You'd be above the median
How San Luis Obispo Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
San Luis Obispo median: $85,089/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Luis Obispo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $68,141 | +24.87% more |
Surgical Technologists in San Luis Obispo, CA earn a median of $85,089 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.87% higher than the national median of $68,141.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Luis Obispo has a cost of living 8.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Luis Obispo, CA has a cost-of-living index of 108.596 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $85,089 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $78,354 — a 7.92% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,330
2025 BLS Actual
$80,730
2026 Current Est.
$85,089
2019–2027 Growth
+102.3%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in San Luis Obispo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,740 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,340 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,730 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,089 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,684 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Luis Obispo metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 82.1% from $44,330 (2019) to $80,730 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,684 by 2027 — a total increase of $45,354 (102.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Luis Obispo 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) | $47,651 – $65,569 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,569 – $85,089 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,089 – $103,271 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,271 – $113,126 |
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 Luis Obispo
In 2026, approximately 100 surgical technologists are employed in San Luis Obispo, a city that has a cost-of-living index of 108.596, indicating living expenses are above the national average. This factor impacts how far salaries stretch when it comes to purchasing power in the area. Hospitals, particularly those with trauma center designations, tend to offer the highest pay, while ambulatory surgery centers and specialty centers follow suit. The pay gap among surgical technologists can often be attributed to the complexity of cases they handle, with professionals in cardiothoracic or neuro specialties earning more than those in general surgery. Additionally, certifications such as robotic surgery training or roles that require on-call coverage can command higher salaries. For those looking to maximize their surgical technologist pay in San Luis Obispo, pursuing advanced certifications and seeking roles in higher-paying specialties or travel positions can be effective strategies.
More salary data for San Luis Obispo, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in San Luis Obispo, CA in 2026?
Is San Luis Obispo, CA a good place to work as a surgical technologist?
Can surgical technologists make $100K in San Luis Obispo?
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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 $80,730 for surgical technologistsin the San Luis Obispo 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