What is the average Surgical Tech salary for Santa Cruz, CA?
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As of January 01, 2026, the average Surgical Tech salary in Santa Cruz, CA is $101,116. The chart below represents localized salaries for some of our most popular Surgical Tech job titles in Santa Cruz, CA. Salaries can vary greatly depending on numerous factors, including position, location, years of experience, and level of education. Salary.com’s team of Certified Compensation Professionals analyzed survey data collected from thousands of HR departments at companies of all sizes and industries to compile a range of salaries for various Surgical Tech job titles in Santa Cruz, CA. Apply your personal criteria to one of the job titles below to get your personalized salary estimate.
Surgical Tech Salaries in Santa Cruz, CA
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Surgical Technologist - Certified | $69,942 | $33.63 | Santa Cruz, CA | January 01, 2026 |
| Physician Assistant - Surgical | $153,263 | $73.68 | Santa Cruz, CA | January 01, 2026 |
| Surgical Assistant - Certified | $95,052 | $45.70 | Santa Cruz, CA | January 01, 2026 |
| Nurse Practitioner - Surgical | $145,879 | $70.13 | Santa Cruz, CA | January 01, 2026 |
| Surgical Technologist - Non-certified | $66,534 | $31.99 | Santa Cruz, CA | January 01, 2026 |
| Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant | $120,480 | $57.92 | Santa Cruz, CA | January 01, 2026 |
| Surgical Neurophysiologist | $109,720 | $52.75 | Santa Cruz, CA | January 01, 2026 |
| Respiratory Tech - Certified | $73,697 | $35.43 | Santa Cruz, CA | January 01, 2026 |
| Surgery Prep Technician | $58,300 | $28.03 | Santa Cruz, CA | January 01, 2026 |
| Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I | $38,716 | $18.61 | Santa Cruz, CA | January 01, 2026 |
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Assists surgeons and other medical professionals before, during, and after surgical procedures. Responsible for ensuring the operating room environment is safe, and that the required equipment is available, sterile, and functioning properly. Observes the patient's vital signs, checks charts, and provides instruments, sutures, and other sterile supplies as needed. Coordinates preparation or disposal of specimens and delivery to laboratory. May assist in patient transport post-surgery and operation room clean up. Requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Certified Operating Room Technologist (CORT) or Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) required. CPR certification required. Typically reports to a supervisor. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. Surgical Technologist - Certified Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Certified Operating Room Technician, Certified Scrub Tech, Certified Scrub Technologist, Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), ORT Certified, Surgical Technician Certified, Surgical Technologist - CertifiedCategory : Healthcare - Technicians
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Provides care to patients in a surgical unit under the supervision of a physician. Responsible for providing preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative assistance and/or care. Orders and interprets diagnostic tests and laboratory work. Writes progress notes, conducts patient education, writes prescriptions, and provides advice about various health issues. Requires a master's degree in health sciences for physician assistants. Requires Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C). Requires State License to practice. Typically reports to a physician. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. Physician Assistant - Surgical Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Certified Physician Assistant (PA) -Surgical, Physician Assistant - SurgicalCategory : Healthcare - Technicians
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Works under the direct supervision of the surgeon to facilitate the surgical procedure. Performs pre-operative and post-operative duties to better facilitate proper patient care. Ensures the operating room is sterile and fully equipped for the procedure. Prepares and positions the patient for surgery. Provides aid in exposure, hemostasis, closure, and other intraoperative technical functions that help the surgeon carry out a safe operation. Collaborates with the operating room team to ensure efficient and timely room setup and turnover. Requires an associate degree. Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) required. Completion of an accredited program for Surgical Assistant required. Typically reports to a supervisor. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. Surgical Assistant - Certified Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Certified Surgical First Assistant, Surgical First Assistant, Surgical Assistant - CertifiedCategory : Healthcare - Technicians
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Works in collaboration with hospital physicians to manage care for patients in a surgical setting. Provides direct care and follow-up for patients in surgical care units. Orders, interprets, and records results of clinical tests and reports results to physicians. Prescribes medications and makes recommendations for other therapeutic forms of treatment. Requires a master's degree. Requires Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP). Requires Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. Nurse Practitioner - Surgical Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Surgical - Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP), Surgical Nurse Practitioner (NP), Nurse Practitioner - Surgical
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Assists surgeons and other medical professionals before, during, and after surgical procedures. Responsible for ensuring the operating room environment is safe, and that the required equipment is available, sterile, and functioning properly. Observes the patient's vital signs, checks charts, and provides instruments, sutures, and other sterile supplies as needed. Coordinates preparation or disposal of specimens and delivery to laboratory according to procedures. May assist in patient transport post-surgery and operation room clean up. Requires a high school diploma or equivalent. May require completion of a surgical technician program and be certified. CPR certification required. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under moderate supervision. Gaining or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. Typically requires 1-3 years of related experience. Surgical Technologist - Non-certified Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:CST, Operating Room Technician, ORT, Scrub Technologist, Surgical Technician, Surgical Technologist - Non-certifiedCategory : Healthcare - Technicians
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Provides direct patient care to surgical patients. Directly assists the surgeon during surgical procedures by assisting with incisions, tissue retraction, suturing, and other surgical tasks. Administers medications and IV treatments, as necessary. Applies dressings or drains surgical sites. Participates in discharge planning. Counsels patients and caregivers on appropriate post-operative care. Requires a bachelor's degree in nursing. Requires Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR). Requires Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant (CRNFA). Typically reports to a manager. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First Assistant Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant (CRNFA), Registered Nurse (RN), Surgical First Assistant, Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA), RN - First Assistant (RNFA), Surgical First Assistant Nurse, Staff Nurse - RN - Surgical First AssistantCategory : Healthcare - Nursing
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Performs testing and monitoring of the nervous system during surgery to assist the surgeons in avoiding or reducing complications such as paralysis, hearing loss, or stroke. Conducts Electroencephalograms, Electromyographies, Somatosensory Evoked Potentials, Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials, direct nerve testing, and other modalities intraoperatively, and communicates findings to the operating room team. Typically requires a bachelor's degree in related area. Requires Certification in Neurophysiologic Intraoperative Monitoring (CNIM) from the American Board of Registered Electroneurodiagnostic Technologists. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2 -4 years of related experience. Surgical Neurophysiologist Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Intraoperative Neuromonitoring Specialist, Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring Specialist, IONM, Surgical NeurophysiologistCategory : Healthcare - Practitioners
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Assists the respiratory therapist in diagnostic testing and treatment implementation for patients with breathing disorders. Conducts pulmonary function tests. Operates and maintains respiratory equipment such as ventilators, oxygen therapy devices, and nebulizers. Monitors patient responses to treatments and documents therapy outcomes. Requires an associate degree. Requires completion of an approved Respiratory Therapy Technician Program. Requires certification from the National Board for Respiratory Therapy. Typically reports to a supervisor. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. Respiratory Tech - Certified Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Respiratory Care Technician, Respiratory Therapy Assistant, Respiratory Therapy Technician, Respiratory Tech - CertifiedCategory : Healthcare - Technicians
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Responsible for preparing the operating room and setting up equipment. Ensures the operating room is clean, sterile, and stocked with the necessary equipment and supplies. Assists with post-operation room clean up. Collects, counts, and stores surgical instruments and supplies after the procedure. Requires a high school diploma or equivalent. May require completion of a surgical technician program and be certified. CPR certification required. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience. Surgery Prep Technician Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Perioperative Tech, Surgery Prep Assistant, Surgical Prep Technician, Surgery Prep Technician
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Responsible for both automated and manual surface mount manufacturing. Responsible for set-up, operation, and adjustment of SMT equipment. Monitors and maintains equipment to meet company standards. May be responsible for quality assurance and documentation. Requires a high school diploma or its equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. May require 0-1 year of general work experience. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Entry SMT Machine Operator, SMT Machine Operator I, Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I