What to Pay a Surgical Technologist in San Jose, CA (2026)
How to set your Surg Tech pay range in San Jose
Three pay positions, modeled against current San Jose market data. Pick the one that matches your comp philosophy and the role's strategic value.
Surg Tech salary percentile distribution in San Jose, CA
Where the San Jose market actually sits for Surg Tech base pay.
Most San Jose employers building a range for this role anchor the midpoint to the market median ($80,000) and set range width at 30–35% — a min of $70,000 and a max of $92,000. This keeps the band wide enough for experience-based progression without concentrating range penetration at the cap.
California pay transparency compliance for Surg Tech job postings
What you must post when hiring a Surg Tech in California.
| Requirement | Applies When | Penalty for Non-Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Pay scale in job posting | 15+ employees, ≥1 in California | $100–$10,000 per violation |
| Good-faith range (no inflated bands) | All covered postings | $100–$10,000 per violation; escalates for repeat |
| Include bonuses and incentive pay (SB 642) | All covered postings from 2026 | Same penalty schedule |
| Provide pay scale to current employees on request | Any covered employer | $100–$10,000 per violation |
| Maintain wage history records for 3 years | All employers | Presumption against employer in disputes |
For a Surg Tech role in San Jose, a compliant good-faith range looks like $70,000 to $92,000. A good-faith range for this role is $70,000–$92,000. Ranges wider than ~50% have been challenged under CA enforcement actions.
Top Surg Tech employers in San Jose — who you're competing against
Top healthcare employers hiring Surg Techs in the San Jose metro and what they're posting.
| Employer | Type | Disclosed Range | Sign-on Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford Health Care | Academic medical center | $75K–$94K | Very common ($8K–$15K) |
| Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara | Integrated health system | $75K–$94K | Very common ($8K–$15K) |
| El Camino Health | Health system | $75K–$94K | Very common ($8K–$15K) |
| Santa Clara Valley Medical Center | Public health system / Level I | $75K–$94K | Very common ($8K–$15K) |
| Sutter Health (PAMF) | Health system / ambulatory | $75K–$94K | Very common ($8K–$15K) |
Surg Tech talent supply and hiring difficulty in San Jose
How hard is it to fill a Surg Tech role in San Jose.
San Jose surgical technologist market centered on hospital OR, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgery hospitals. Cardiothoracic and orthopedic sub-specialties command premiums.
Skill premiums Surg Tech candidates command in San Jose, CA
| Skill / Credential | Pay Premium | Demand Signal |
|---|---|---|
| CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) | Standard baseline | Required |
| Cardiothoracic surgical tech | +8–12% | Very high |
| Orthopedic / joint replacement | +6–10% | High |
| Robotic surgery (da Vinci) certified | +7–11% | High and growing |
Surg Tech total compensation in San Jose — what candidates expect beyond base
Total rewards mix for Surg Techs in San Jose. "Prevalence" reflects share of San Jose disclosed-range postings including each element.
| Component | Typical Value | Prevalence in San Jose Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | $80,000 (median) | 100% |
| Call pay (standby + callback) | $4–$8/hr standby + 1.5× hourly | ~86% |
| Sign-on bonus | $5K–$11K | ~64% |
| CST certification pay | +5–8% on base | ~54% |
| Overtime opportunity | $8K–$16K annualized | ~88% |
| Estimated total comp benchmark | ~$98K–$115K | — |
Shift differentials and sign-on bonuses are typically table stakes rather than differentiators. Tuition reimbursement for LPN-to-RN bridge programs is increasingly the lever that wins competitive offers, particularly for early-career candidates.
Surg Tech pay by setting in San Jose — SNF, hospital, clinic, home health
Where the Surg Tech range splits by employer type in the San Jose metro.
| Setting | Median | Competitive Range | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| General hospital OR | $77,000 | $69K–$88K | High |
| Cardiothoracic surgery | $86,000 | $77K–$98K | Very high |
| Orthopedic / joint replacement | $83,000 | $74K–$94K | High |
| Ambulatory surgery center | $75,000 | $67K–$85K | Moderate |
| Specialty surgery hospital | $82,000 | $72K–$91K | High |
FAQ: hiring a Surgical Technologist in San Jose, CA
Related Surg Tech pay benchmarks — California metros and nearby nursing roles
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Data refreshed May 15, 2026. Next scheduled update: August 15, 2026.
© 2026 BetterComp. Market data informational only — not legal advice.