When looking at a salary chart, it’s always nice to be in the area where salaries are highest. Surgical techs in California know how nice that feeling is. So, how much do surgical techs in California earn?
Top Dollar
As with any other industry, salaries for surgical techs can vary widely from one state to another. For those who work in this field in California, the salary charts confirm what they already know: the earnings are excellent. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, average pay ranged from a high of $54,750 in California to a low of $32,850 in Mississippi as of 2012.
According to additional recent data, California has retained that spot. Of the five states with the highest employment level in this occupation, California has the highest annual mean wage: $59,380. Furthermore, nine of the ten top-paying metropolitan areas for this occupation are in California.
What Is It Like?
When considering a career, many people wonder about a typical day. What is it really like to work in a particular field? Like with many medical fields, there is no one typical day for a surgical technician. Tasks depend on the needs of patients for the day. Duties may vary depending on whether a surgical tech works in a hospital, surgical center, doctor’s office, or another setting.
Depending on the work environment and other factors, a surgical tech may prepare the operating room, create and maintain the sterile field, pass instruments during surgery, count surgical items, apply the dressing, remove supplies from the operating room, and prepare the operating room for the next patient. Given that surgical techs work with patients, no two days are exactly the same because no two cases are exactly the same. Even though there may be a repetition of duties, the job is never boring because each case is unique.
Advancing in the Field
When surgical techs distinguish themselves in the field, they can advance to more challenging roles. Of course, these roles also come with higher salaries. It’s possible to advance by specializing in progressively more demanding and more difficult medical specialties, including neurosurgery or cardiac surgery. Alternatively, surgical techs can advance to a role as a surgical first assistant or a circulator; both roles come with additional responsibilities.
There are other options for advancement, as well: some surgical technologists manage central supply departments in hospitals or take positions with medical insurance companies and sterile supply service companies. Again, positions with increased responsibility carry increased salaries.
California Dreams?
At 365 Healthcare Staffing Services, we specialize in the recruitment and placement of healthcare professionals in per diem, travel, and permanent assignments in healthcare facilities across the country. Surgical tech salaries in California top the salary charts for this industry. If you want to explore this further, give us a call at 310.436.3650 today.
