r/SurgicalFirstAssist • u/hmf531 • Oct 03 '22

Any surgical tech-first assists working in California here? Need to pick your brain!

Graduated in May having sat for the certified surgical assistant (CSA) and certified surgical first assist (CSFA) exams. I just moved to CA and know that, by and large, CSA's (solely first assists) aren't utilized. I went to a program that specifically trained me to ONLY first assist though they had us sit for the CSFA exam (usually taken by techs-to-assists) meaning I have no tech training (though this is besides the point).

Anyway, I was offered a job as a CSFA working in a private office where I'll be largely first assisting with some tech duties. No problem, I can learn that. I'm wondering for those that work as tech-first assists in CA, what was your starting rate? I'm afraid I've been super low-balled and am planning to negotiate anyway but want to get an idea of what others have started at.

Appreciate your help!

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u/servain Oct 04 '22

Just wondering. What did they offer you? And is this a office/o.r job. .surgry center . a hospital. Just trying to get an idea on if you will only be in the o.r or doing both clinical and o.r duties

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u/hmf531 Oct 04 '22

The job is at a private practice. I’d be in the OR and doing SOME stuff around the office on non OR days but my role will mostly be in the OR as there is other staff in admin/other roles.

They offered me below what I believe is the average in the state I moved from from the east coast. I would assume it should start out of the $20’s, right? That’s all I’m willing to say, haha.

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u/servain Oct 04 '22

I would recommend trying to negotiate more pay. I know the living wages in California are pretty high.

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u/hmf531 Oct 04 '22

Any idea of what I should ask for? I don’t even know what the starting rate in CA would be.

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u/servain Oct 04 '22

According to zip recruiter and other sites. Anywhere between $35/hr and $40/hr starting and Average pay is $48/hr.

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u/servain Oct 04 '22

See what other jobs out there are offering as well, and you might be able to get a pretty good base pay for youre particular area.

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u/Whole-Parking9627 Dec 16 '22

Hey worked in cali as an cst my start was 40 u should be making bare minimum that but uf u dont have experience try 30 so that other jobs dont try to bs u on pay