Surgical Tech salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A Surgical Tech in California earns a median of $81,310 a year ($39.09/hour equivalent), 25.8% above the national median of $64,650. California ranks #3 of 51 states. About 11,920 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $61,658 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $2,371 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $3,127.31
- Federal income tax
- −$348.39
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$193.89
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$45.35
- California income tax
- −$127.57
- CA SDI
- −$40.66
- Take-home pay
- $2,371.45
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $81,310
- Federal
- $9,058
- FICA
- $6,220
- State + local
- $4,374
- Net
- $61,658
- Marginal federal rate
- 22.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 9.3%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How California compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Hawaii | $82,640 |
| #2 | Oregon | $81,390 |
| #3 | California | $81,310 |
| #4 | Massachusetts | $80,870 |
| #5 | Alaska | $80,380 |
| #49 | Mississippi | $49,810 |
| #50 | Alabama | $49,420 |
| #51 | West Virginia | $49,110 |
See the national Surgical Tech salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Surgical Technologists (SOC 29-2055), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Surgical Tech make in California?
The median salary is $81,310 a year and the average is $82,810 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for surgical technologists?
California ranks #3 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 26% above the national median of $64,650.
What is $81,310 after taxes in California?
About $61,658 a year ($2,371 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.