Surgical Technologist Salary in Union City, CA: $85,280 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Union City, CA earns a median $85,280/year (≈ $41.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Union City's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $75,402 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Union City, California, surgical technologists can expect a median annual salary of $85,280 in 2026. This figure significantly exceeds the national median of $68,141, highlighting the competitive pay rates in the area. The salary range for these professionals spans from $59,186 at the 10th percentile to $123,733 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse opportunities available depending on experience and specialization. The local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic conditions, suggest that surgical technologists working in Union City's hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, or specialty surgical centers have promising earning potential, especially in demanding environments that may require specialized skills or certifications.
About the Union City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,186 | $28.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,694 | $35.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,280 | $41.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,091 | $49.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,733 | $59.49 |
Median Salary Position
25.15% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Union City
In Union City, CA, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,547 (2026 est.). At $85,280, the local median is 25.15% above the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Union City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Union City Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Union City median: $85,280/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Union City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $85,110 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $68,141 | +25.15% more |
Surgical Technologists in Union City, CA earn a median of $85,280 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.15% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 0.20% above the California state average of $85,110.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Union City has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Union City, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $85,280 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,402 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,449
2025 BLS Actual
$80,911
2026 Current Est.
$85,280
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Union City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,449 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,213 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,736 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,035 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,855 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,415 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,911 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,280 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,885 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Union City metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $60,449 (2019) to $80,911 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,885 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,436 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Union City 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) | $59,186 – $73,694 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,694 – $85,280 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,280 – $103,091 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,091 – $123,733 |
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 Union City
With 11 surgical technologists currently employed in Union City, the job market remains relatively compact yet stable, offering opportunities for those with the necessary credentials, such as CST and CAAHEP accreditation. The cost-of-living index in the area stands at 113.1, which indicates a slightly higher living expense than the national average. This would affect the purchasing power of surgical technologists, reinforcing the importance of understanding how much do surgical technologists make in Union City relative to their financial needs. Among the various employment settings, hospitals generally provide the highest pay, particularly for those working in specialty surgical units such as cardiovascular or neurosurgery, where advanced skills and call coverage can command better compensation. To maximize pay, surgical technologists in Union City should consider pursuing additional certifications, such as robotic surgery training, and explore positions that offer a premium for specific roles, including travel tech opportunities or trauma center assignments.
More salary data for Union City, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can surgical technologists make $100K in Union City?
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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 $80,911 for surgical technologistsin the Union City 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 Union City 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