📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release
Surgical Technologists Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · Medium Demand
Average
$63,370
per year
Median
$60,700
per year
Hourly
$30.47
per hour
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$42,884
25th Percentile — Junior$53,298
50th Percentile — Median$60,700
75th Percentile — Senior$76,729
90th Percentile — Top Earners$84,962
💡 The top 10% of Surgical Technologistss earn $84,962 or more per year. Entry-level professionals can expect to start around $42,884, with significant growth over the first 5 years.
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$51.6k
2021
$53.8k
2022
$56.0k
2023
$58.4k
2024
$60.8k
2025
$63.4k
2026
📈 Surgical Technologists salaries have grown 4.2% year-over-year. Since 2020, the average salary has increased by approximately $11,782.
Salary by State
Geographic salary comparison
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $98,224 | +55.0% | Medium |
| District of Columbia | $96,322 | +52.0% | Medium |
| California | $89,985 | +42.0% | Medium |
| New York | $87,451 | +38.0% | Medium |
| Alaska | $83,648 | +32.0% | Medium |
| Massachusetts | $82,381 | +30.0% | Medium |
| New Jersey | $81,114 | +28.0% | Medium |
| Washington | $79,212 | +25.0% | Medium |
| Connecticut | $77,311 | +22.0% | Medium |
| Maryland | $72,876 | +15.0% | Medium |
| Rhode Island | $72,876 | +15.0% | Medium |
| New Hampshire | $72,242 | +14.0% | Medium |
| Oregon | $70,974 | +12.0% | Medium |
| Colorado | $69,707 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Virginia | $69,707 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Vermont | $68,440 | +8.0% | Medium |
| Delaware | $66,538 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Illinois | $66,538 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Maine | $64,637 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Nevada | $64,637 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Minnesota | $63,370 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Utah | $63,370 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Arizona | $62,736 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Pennsylvania | $62,736 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Florida | $62,103 | -2.0% | Medium |
| Montana | $60,202 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Texas | $60,202 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Georgia | $58,934 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Idaho | $58,934 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Wyoming | $58,934 | -7.0% | Medium |
| North Dakota | $58,300 | -8.0% | Medium |
| Wisconsin | $58,300 | -8.0% | Medium |
| North Carolina | $57,667 | -9.0% | Medium |
| Michigan | $57,033 | -10.0% | Medium |
| Louisiana | $55,766 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Nebraska | $55,766 | -12.0% | Medium |
| New Mexico | $55,766 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Ohio | $55,766 | -12.0% | Medium |
| South Carolina | $55,766 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Tennessee | $55,766 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Alabama | $55,132 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Missouri | $55,132 | -13.0% | Medium |
| South Dakota | $55,132 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Iowa | $54,498 | -14.0% | Medium |
| Indiana | $53,864 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Kansas | $53,864 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Oklahoma | $53,231 | -16.0% | Medium |
| Arkansas | $52,597 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Kentucky | $52,597 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Mississippi | $50,696 | -20.0% | Medium |
| West Virginia | $49,429 | -22.0% | Medium |
What Factors Affect Surgical Technologists Salary?
Key factors affecting compensation
A Surgical Technologists's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Surgical Technologistss typically earn $42,884–$53,298 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $76,729–$84,962 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Surgical Technologists role currently has medium demand in the job market with a 4.2% growth rate, making it one of the most growing careers in the Healthcare sector.
🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
-
What is the average salary for a Surgical Technologists?The average salary for a Surgical Technologists in the United States is $63,370 per year, with a median of $60,700.
-
What is the starting salary for a Surgical Technologists?Entry-level Surgical Technologistss typically earn between $42,884 and $53,298 per year depending on location and employer.
-
What state pays Surgical Technologistss the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Surgical Technologistss the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
-
How much does a Surgical Technologists make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $63,370, a Surgical Technologists earns approximately $30.47 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
-
Is Surgical Technologists a good career in 2026?Yes — the Surgical Technologists role has medium demand with 4.2% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.
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