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Surgical tech programs in California

12 surgical tech programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

11 schools offer these surgical technology programs, and California has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Surgical technologists, also called operating room technicians, prepare operating rooms, arrange the equipment and help doctors during surgery. Most have a certificate or an associate degree from an accredited program, and some employers require certification.1

In California, 11 of the 12 programs ask for a high school diploma or equivalent and 1 asks for earlier courses first.

By kind, the 12 programs here are surgical tech program (level not stated, 6 programs), surgical technology certificate or diploma (3 programs), surgical technology (associate degree, 2 programs) and surgical tech apprenticeship (1 program).

See the 12 programs

How much do surgical tech programs cost in California?

$8,602 to $28,975 is what most surgical tech programs in California cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 10 programs with a price. All of them: $4,000 to $43,408

In the typical program

Finished the program
81%
Working 6 months later
82%
Earned a year, estimated
about $60,100
Length
40 to 66 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in California may also offer surgical tech programs. How these figures are made

Are there free surgical tech programs in California?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 12 surgical tech programs in California approved for WIOA funding

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12 programs

  • Surgical tech program (level not stated)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technology

    San Joaquin Valley College - Central Administration Office

    Visalia

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    San Joaquin Valley College - Central Administration Office, VisaliaSurgical tech program (level not stated) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$43,408
    School website, Surgical Technology at San Joaquin Valley College - Central Administration Office
    More details about Surgical Technology at San Joaquin Valley College - Central Administration Office
    Finished
    72%
    Working at 6 months
    71%
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    64 weeks, 24 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    822
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $43,408
    School website, Surgical Technology at San Joaquin Valley College - Central Administration Office

  • Surgical tech program (level not stated)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Techologist

    College and Career Advantage Regional Occupational Program

    Mission Viejo

    High school diploma or equivalent

    College and Career Advantage Regional Occupational Program, Mission ViejoSurgical tech program (level not stated)In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedLeft out
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    More details about Surgical Techologist at College and Career Advantage Regional Occupational Program
    Finished
    81%
    Working at 6 months
    7%
    Earned in a quarter
    Left out
    Length
    42 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    214
    Earned a year, estimated
    Left out
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out

  • Surgical technology certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technology

    Glendale Career College

    Glendale

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Glendale Career College, GlendaleSurgical technology certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$41,400
    Price if you pay yourself$31,948
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Glendale Career College
    More details about Surgical Technology at Glendale Career College
    Finished
    80%
    Working at 6 months
    78%
    Earned in a quarter
    $10,353
    Length
    60 weeks, 32 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $590
    Students counted
    159
    Earned a year, estimated
    $41,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $31,948
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Glendale Career College

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technology

    American College of Healthcare and Technology

    Riverside

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    American College of Healthcare and Technology, RiversideSurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$24,933

    7 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Surgical Technology at American College of Healthcare and Technology
    More details about Surgical Technology at American College of Healthcare and Technology
    Finished
    49%
    Working at 6 months
    79%
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    78 weeks, 29 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $63
    Students counted
    127
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $24,933
    students trained with WIOA funding
    7
    Program website, Surgical Technology at American College of Healthcare and Technology

  • Surgical technology certificate or diplomaHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technology Certificate Program

    Silicon Valley Surgi-Tech Institute dba SVSTI

    Milpitas

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Silicon Valley Surgi-Tech Institute dba SVSTI, MilpitasSurgical technology certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$69,200
    Price if you pay yourself$26,500

    3 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Surgical Technology Certificate Program at Silicon Valley Surgi-Tech Institute dba SVSTI
    More details about Surgical Technology Certificate Program at Silicon Valley Surgi-Tech Institute dba SVSTI
    Finished
    80%
    Working at 6 months
    97%
    Earned in a quarter
    $17,306
    Length
    48 weeks, 34 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $487
    Students counted
    84
    Earned a year, estimated
    $69,200
    Price if you pay yourself
    $26,500
    students trained with WIOA funding
    3
    Program website, Surgical Technology Certificate Program at Silicon Valley Surgi-Tech Institute dba SVSTI

  • Surgical tech program (level not stated)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    003335 Surgical Technologist

    Simi Institute for Careers and Education

    Simi Valley

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Simi Institute for Careers and Education, Simi ValleySurgical tech program (level not stated)In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$56,200
    Price if you pay yourself$8,300

    4 students trained with WIOA funding

    School website, 003335 Surgical Technologist at Simi Institute for Careers and Education
    More details about 003335 Surgical Technologist at Simi Institute for Careers and Education
    Finished
    68%
    Working at 6 months
    100%
    Earned in a quarter
    $14,040
    Length
    76 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,450
    Students counted
    81
    Earned a year, estimated
    $56,200
    Price if you pay yourself
    $8,300
    students trained with WIOA funding
    4
    School website, 003335 Surgical Technologist at Simi Institute for Careers and Education

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)HybridEducation and courses

    Surgical Technology Degree Program

    Silicon Valley Surgi-Tech Institute dba SVSTI

    Milpitas

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Silicon Valley Surgi-Tech Institute dba SVSTI, MilpitasSurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimated$60,100
    Price if you pay yourself$29,800
    Program website, Surgical Technology Degree Program at Silicon Valley Surgi-Tech Institute dba SVSTI
    More details about Surgical Technology Degree Program at Silicon Valley Surgi-Tech Institute dba SVSTI
    Finished
    93%
    Working at 6 months
    100%
    Earned in a quarter
    $15,028
    Length
    64 weeks, 34 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $687
    Students counted
    59
    Earned a year, estimated
    $60,100
    Price if you pay yourself
    $29,800
    Program website, Surgical Technology Degree Program at Silicon Valley Surgi-Tech Institute dba SVSTI

  • Surgical tech program (level not stated)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technologist

    Porterville Adult School

    Porterville

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Porterville Adult School, PortervilleSurgical tech program (level not stated)In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$71,100
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out

    14 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Surgical Technologist at Porterville Adult School
    More details about Surgical Technologist at Porterville Adult School
    Finished
    93%
    Working at 6 months
    97%
    Earned in a quarter
    $17,779
    Length
    36 weeks, 18 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    50
    Earned a year, estimated
    $71,100
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    students trained with WIOA funding
    14
    Program website, Surgical Technologist at Porterville Adult School

  • Surgical tech program (level not stated)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technologist

    Loma Linda University San Manuel Gateway College

    San Bernardino

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Loma Linda University San Manuel Gateway College, San BernardinoSurgical tech program (level not stated) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$54,900
    Price if you pay yourself$14,900

    5 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Surgical Technologist at Loma Linda University San Manuel Gateway College
    More details about Surgical Technologist at Loma Linda University San Manuel Gateway College
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    86%
    Earned in a quarter
    $13,728
    Length
    72 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    41
    Earned a year, estimated
    $54,900
    Price if you pay yourself
    $14,900
    students trained with WIOA funding
    5
    Program website, Surgical Technologist at Loma Linda University San Manuel Gateway College

  • Surgical tech program (level not stated)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technologist

    Mt. Diablo Adult Education

    Concord

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Mt. Diablo Adult Education, ConcordSurgical tech program (level not stated) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$81,100
    Price if you pay yourself$9,506

    26 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Surgical Technologist at Mt. Diablo Adult Education
    More details about Surgical Technologist at Mt. Diablo Adult Education
    Finished
    90%
    Working at 6 months
    75%
    Earned in a quarter
    $20,278
    Length
    45 weeks, 32 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,633
    Students counted
    27
    Earned a year, estimated
    $81,100
    Price if you pay yourself
    $9,506
    students trained with WIOA funding
    26
    Program website, Surgical Technologist at Mt. Diablo Adult Education

  • Surgical technology certificate or diplomaOnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technologist

    MiraCosta Community College

    Based in Oceanside, CA

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    MiraCosta Community College, based in Oceanside, CASurgical technology certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolOnline · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$4,000
    Program website, Surgical Technologist at MiraCosta Community College
    More details about Surgical Technologist at MiraCosta Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    18 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,000
    Program website, Surgical Technologist at MiraCosta Community College

  • Surgical tech apprenticeshipHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technician Apprenticeship

    Dental Tech LLC

    Vallejo

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Tech LLC, VallejoSurgical tech apprenticeshipHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$4,600
    More details about Surgical Technician Apprenticeship at Dental Tech LLC
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    8 weeks, 25 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $400
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,600

How to pay for surgical tech programs in California

WIOA funding can pay for surgical tech programs in California

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for surgical tech programs

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.67

GI Bill for surgical tech programs

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.8

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Quick facts: Surgical tech programs in California

programs with a price cost under $10,000
4 of 10
lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
22nd of 23
other states where the typical program's graduates earned less
17 of 17
surgical tech programs here, against the typical state's 6
12 vs 6

State comparisons use the same figures as the surgical tech programs by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

Surgical tech programs in Visalia, Los Angeles, Riverside and other California cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above. 1 more program is in 1 other area and 1 online.

Other training in California

How surgical tech programs compare with the rest of allied health: Allied health programs in California

Where the California surgical technology program numbers come from

Which California surgical technology programs are on this list?

These are the surgical technology programs California approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).9 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what California offers.

How the prices and results of California surgical technology programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about surgical tech programs in California

Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Surgical Technologists
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  8. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  9. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List