How much does a Surgery Resident make in California?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Surgery Resident in California is $365,640 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $176.

However, a Surgery Resident's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $429,367
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $341,757 to $398,997
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $320,012

Key Factors That Influence Surgery Resident Salaries

A Surgery Resident's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Surgery Resident Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Surgery Resident's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $361,660
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $363,319
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $364,977
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $367,299
  • Expert (over 8 years): $373,512
Levels Salary
Entry Level Surgery Resident$361,660
Intermediate Level Surgery Resident$363,319
Senior Level Surgery Resident$364,977
Specialist Level Surgery Resident$367,299
Expert Level Surgery Resident$373,512

Top Paying Cities for Surgery Residents

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $366,270
  • West Hollywood: $366,005
  • Dodgertown: $366,267

Surgery Resident Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Surgery Resident roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Surgery Resident positions in Pharmaceuticals or Biotechnology typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Surgery Resident as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Surgery Resident

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$511,896$246.040%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$420,486$202.015%

Surgery Resident Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Surgery Resident's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$341,757
Average $365,640/year
$398,997
$28,480
Average $30,470/month
$33,250
$6,572
Average $7,032/week
$7,673
$164
Average $176/hour
$192
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $398,997 $33,250 $7,673 $192
Average $365,640 $30,470 $7,032 $176
25th Percentile $341,757 $28,480 $6,572 $164

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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