[Published: May 13, 2026 | Last updated: May 13, 2026] | 8 min read
TL;DR
- The median annual wage for surgical technologists is $62,830 (BLS, May 2024).
- Top earners pull in over $90,700 per year; entry-level positions start around $43,290.
- Outpatient surgery centers are the highest-paying work setting, averaging about $73,600 annually.
- Alaska leads all states with a mean salary of $82,640, followed by Washington D.C. ($79,800) and California ($78,340) (BLS OES, May 2024).
- Earning the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential adds $5,000-$9,900 per year and is now required by most U.S. employers.
What Does a Surgical Technologist Earn?
The median annual wage for surgical technologists was $62,830 in May 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That puts the profession well above the national median for all occupations, which sits at $49,500.
On an hourly basis, the mean rate is $30.32, with a median of $29.14 (BLS OES, May 2024, SOC 29-2055).
Here is how pay breaks down across the full earnings range:
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry) | $43,290 |
| 25th percentile | ~$50,000 |
| Median (50th) | $62,830 |
| 75th percentile | ~$76,000 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,700+ |
Sources: BLS OES May 2024; careerguidepro.com
How Surgical Technologist Pay Changes With Experience
Entry-level surgical techs with 0-2 years of experience earn approximately $42,000-$48,000 nationally, according to Salary.com’s 2026 data. By years 3-5, that range jumps to $52,000-$58,000.
One thing worth knowing before entering the field: surgical technology shows a compensation plateau earlier than many healthcare careers. Techs with 10 years of experience typically earn only $58,000-$64,000 (Salary.com, 2026).
The way around that ceiling is to move into a specialty role, first-assistant work, or OR management – each of which can push pay into the $75,000-$95,000 range.
Experience-based hourly rates from Payscale (2025):
| Experience Level | Average Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Under 1 year | $20.73 |
| 1-4 years | $22.27 |
| 5-9 years | $25.02 |
| 10-19 years | $26.93 |
| 20+ years | $28.51 |
Source: Payscale, 2025
Surgical Technologist Salary by State in 2026
Where you work is one of the biggest salary drivers. Alaska leads all states with a mean of $82,640, followed by Washington D.C. ($79,800), California ($78,340), Nevada ($74,690), and Minnesota ($73,820) (BLS OES, May 2024).
At the other end of the scale, Alabama had the lowest mean annual wage of all states in 2024, coming in $13,850 below the national average for surgical techs (BLS, 2024).
Top 5 highest-paying states:
| State | Mean Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $82,640 |
| Washington D.C. | $79,800 |
| California | $78,340 |
| Nevada | $74,690 |
| Minnesota | $73,820 |
Source: BLS OES, May 2024
For metro areas, San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward tops the list at $91,150, followed by San Jose at $90,870 (BLS OES, May 2024).
How Work Setting Affects Surgical Technologist Pay
The type of facility you work in affects your paycheck as much as geography. Surgical technologists in outpatient care centers are the highest paid, earning an average annual salary of $73,600 (BLS).
Hospital positions offer slightly lower base pay in many markets but typically include benefits, shift differentials, and overtime that add meaningful income over a year.
| Work Setting | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Outpatient care centers | $73,600 |
| Specialty hospitals | Higher than general hospitals |
| General hospitals | Near national average |
| Physician offices | Below national average |
Source: BLS OES, May 2024; IntelyCare, 2026
How Certifications Raise Surgical Tech Salary
Certification is the single most direct way to increase starting pay and long-term earnings.
According to the Association of Surgical Technologists’ 2024 member salary survey, certified surgical technologists earn approximately 12-18% more than non-certified peers in the same roles. At the national average salary, that translates to roughly $6,600-$9,900 more per year.
The CST credential from NBSTSA typically adds $5,000-$8,000 per year and is now required by most U.S. employers at hire. The TS-C (Tech in Surgery – Certified) credential adds another $3,000-$5,000 on top of that. The CSFA (Certified Surgical First Assistant) carries a $20,000-$30,000 annual premium over a staff CST position.
Hiring managers report that certified techs receive job offers faster – averaging 3.2 weeks from application to offer, compared to 5.7 weeks for non-certified candidates (Healthcare Career Pathways data). Kaiser Permanente, HCA Healthcare, and several major academic medical centers now require certification for all new surgical tech hires.
Key certifications and their impact:
| Credential | Issuing Body | Estimated Pay Increase |
|---|---|---|
| CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) | NBSTSA | $5,000-$8,000/yr |
| TS-C (Tech in Surgery – Certified) | NCCT | $3,000-$5,000/yr additional |
| CSFA (Certified Surgical First Assistant) | NBSTSA | $20,000-$30,000/yr premium |
Sources: NBSTSA; Association of Surgical Technologists Salary Survey, 2024
Specialty Roles That Pay More Than General Surgery
Specializing in a surgical area is one of the fastest ways to break past the general pay plateau.
Cardiovascular and thoracic surgical techs earn a 15-25% premium over general surgical tech pay, followed by neurosurgery (12-20% premium) and robotics-assisted procedures (10-15% premium).
Specializing in cardiovascular or orthopedic surgery can lead to earnings that exceed $110,000 in top-paying job markets.
High-paying specialties at a glance:
| Specialty | Premium Over General Tech Pay |
|---|---|
| Cardiovascular / CVOR | 15-25% |
| Neurosurgery | 12-20% |
| Robotics-assisted surgery | 10-15% |
| Orthopedic surgery | 10-15% |
Source: healthtechacademy.org, 2026; CBD College Surgical Tech Salary Guide, 2026
Travel Surgical Tech Pay: What Contracts Actually Pay
Travel surgical tech work pays more than permanent positions, with some tradeoffs in stability.
Travel surgical tech contracts range from $2,000 to $2,500+ per week, including housing stipends. High-demand or specialty assignments can reach $2,800 or more per week.
ZipRecruiter’s 2026 data puts the average travel surgical tech earning around $1,503 per week. Most contracts fall between $1,400 and $2,300 per week, combining taxable wages and tax-free stipends.
Travel work suits techs who have 2+ years of OR experience and flexibility on location. The pay premium over staff positions is real, but contracts typically run 13 weeks, and benefits must be arranged independently.
How Surgical Tech Pay Compares to Similar Healthcare Jobs
Surgical technologists earned an average salary of $65,810 in 2024 (BLS). Registered Nurses earned an average of $98,430 the same year.
Clinical laboratory technicians earn $62,870 per year and radiology technicians earn $72,250 per year (BLS), making surgical tech pay competitive within allied health.
| Role | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $98,430 |
| Radiology Technologist | $72,250 |
| Cardiovascular Tech | $67,260 |
| Surgical Technologist | $65,810 |
| Clinical Lab Technician | $62,870 |
| LPN / LVN | $62,340 |
Source: BLS OES, May 2024
Job Outlook: Is Surgical Technology a Stable Career?
Overall employment of surgical assistants and technologists is projected to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations. About 8,700 openings are projected each year, on average, over that decade (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/surgical-technologists.htm).
Two factors drive that steady demand: an aging population that requires more surgical procedures, and the ongoing shift of procedures from inpatient hospitals to outpatient surgery centers, which are growing faster and hiring actively.
5 Practical Ways to Earn More as a Surgical Tech
- Get CST certified immediately after graduation. Certification is now a hiring requirement at major systems and adds $5,000-$8,000 per year from day one (NBSTSA; Association of Surgical Technologists, 2024).
- Target outpatient surgery centers. Outpatient care centers are the highest-paying setting for surgical techs, averaging $73,600 per year (BLS).
- Specialize in cardiovascular, neuro, or robotics. These three specialties carry the largest pay premiums over general surgery – up to 25% more.
- Negotiate at offer time. Sign-on bonuses of $2,000-$5,000 are available at high-demand facilities. Research BLS data for your state before any salary conversation.
- Consider travel contracts after 2 years of experience. A 13-week travel assignment at $2,000+ per week can generate more income than a full year of permanent staff pay.
Frequently Asked Questions About Surgical Technologist Salary
How much does a surgical technologist make per hour?
The mean hourly rate for surgical technologists is $30.32, with a median of $29.14 (BLS OES, May 2024). Entry-level positions start closer to $20-$22 per hour, while experienced techs in specialty roles or high-paying states earn $35-$45 per hour.
What state pays surgical technologists the most?
Alaska pays surgical technologists the most, with a mean annual salary of $82,640. Washington D.C. ($79,800) and California ($78,340) follow closely (BLS OES, May 2024).
Does getting the CST certification actually increase pay?
Yes, consistently. Certified surgical technologists earn 12-18% more than non-certified peers in identical roles, according to the Association of Surgical Technologists’ 2024 salary survey. That translates to roughly $6,600-$9,900 more per year at the national average salary.
How much do travel surgical techs make?
Travel surgical tech contracts range from $2,000 to $2,500+ per week, including housing stipends. Specialty or high-demand assignments can exceed $2,800 per week. These figures combine a taxable base wage with tax-free housing and meal stipends.
Can a surgical technologist earn over $100,000?
Yes, in specific circumstances. Specializing in cardiovascular or orthopedic surgery can lead to earnings above $110,000 in top-paying job markets. Surgical first assistants with the CSFA credential also regularly cross the $100,000 mark, particularly in high-cost states like California and Alaska.
How does surgical tech pay compare to nursing?
Registered Nurses earn an average annual salary of $98,430, which is $32,620 more than the average surgical tech salary of $65,810 (BLS). RNs carry more extensive education, licensing requirements, and job responsibilities in exchange for that pay difference.
What is the entry-level surgical tech salary?
New surgical tech graduates typically start between $40,000 and $48,000 annually, depending on location and work setting. Outpatient centers and large urban markets tend to offer higher starting rates than rural hospitals.
Key Takeaways
- The median surgical tech salary is $62,830 per year, with top earners exceeding $90,700 (BLS OES, May 2024).
- Alaska, D.C., and California are the three highest-paying states; outpatient surgery centers are the highest-paying work setting.
- CST certification adds $6,600-$9,900 per year and is now a requirement at most major hospital systems.
- Salary growth tends to plateau after year 5 unless you specialize, pursue first-assistant certification, or move into OR management.
- Travel surgical tech contracts ($2,000-$2,500+/week) offer the fastest path to high short-term earnings for experienced techs.