Los Angeles has one of the largest healthcare job markets in the country, with major hospitals, academic medical centers, and specialty surgery centers hiring surgical technologists. This page highlights surgical tech jobs in Los Angeles and provides quick insights into local employers, salaries, and training paths.
Below you’ll find the latest surgical tech, scrub tech, and operating room technician jobs currently available in Los Angeles.
Surgical technologists in Los Angeles work across large hospital systems, academic medical centers, and ambulatory surgery centers. Major healthcare employers in the area include Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, UCLA Health, Keck Medicine of USC, Kaiser Permanente, California Hospital Medical Center, and City of Hope.
These organizations operate high-volume operating rooms and specialty surgical programs, creating steady demand for scrub techs, OR techs, and certified surgical technologists throughout the metro area.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, surgical technologists in California earn a mean annual wage of $76,170, with about 11,100 surgical techs employed statewide.
Actual pay in Los Angeles varies based on experience, certification status, surgical specialty, and whether you work in a hospital or ambulatory surgery center. Large academic medical centers and specialty surgical hospitals often offer the highest pay and advancement opportunities.
California does not require a state license for surgical technologists. However, many hospitals prefer or require candidates to hold the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.
Employers may also require graduation from an accredited surgical technology program and proof of clinical training.
Most surgical technologists enter the field by completing an accredited surgical technology program, typically lasting 12 to 24 months. Programs accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES include classroom instruction and supervised clinical experience in operating rooms.
Community colleges and technical schools throughout the Los Angeles area offer these programs, providing pathways into entry-level scrub tech and OR technician roles.
Los Angeles has a higher cost of living than many parts of the country, particularly for housing. However, the region’s large healthcare sector and competitive surgical tech salaries can help offset these costs, especially for experienced CSTs working in major hospital systems.
Explore active roles in Los Angeles.