Surgical Technologist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Surgical Technologists Make?
Surgical Technologists earn a median annual salary of $62,830 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $43,290 at the 10th percentile to $90,700 at the 90th percentile — a range of $47,410. The highest-paying state is California at $81,120.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $43,290 |
| 25th percentile | $51,740 |
| Median (50th) | $62,830 |
| 75th percentile | $77,140 |
| 90th percentile | $90,700 |
Surgical Technologist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $81,120 |
| Connecticut | $80,590 |
| Oregon | $79,410 |
| Alaska | $79,040 |
| Massachusetts | $78,300 |
| Minnesota | $77,950 |
| Nevada | $76,740 |
| Hawaii | $76,200 |
| New York | $75,250 |
| Washington | $73,460 |
| New Jersey | $71,370 |
| Rhode Island | $68,280 |
| Arizona | $67,530 |
| New Hampshire | $67,490 |
| Maryland | $66,550 |
| Wisconsin | $65,870 |
| Colorado | $65,690 |
| District of Columbia | $65,450 |
| Virginia | $63,460 |
| Utah | $63,380 |
| Maine | $63,000 |
| Idaho | $62,930 |
| Vermont | $62,800 |
| Nebraska | $62,670 |
| Texas | $62,640 |
| Illinois | $62,510 |
| Michigan | $62,320 |
| Delaware | $62,230 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,770 |
| Indiana | $61,610 |
| Florida | $61,030 |
| Georgia | $60,880 |
| South Carolina | $60,780 |
| Montana | $60,610 |
| Missouri | $60,420 |
| Ohio | $60,360 |
| North Dakota | $59,990 |
| North Carolina | $58,710 |
| Kansas | $57,580 |
| Oklahoma | $57,310 |
| Tennessee | $56,370 |
| Wyoming | $54,610 |
| Iowa | $53,920 |
| Arkansas | $53,400 |
| New Mexico | $52,780 |
| South Dakota | $52,400 |
| Kentucky | $52,240 |
| Louisiana | $51,930 |
| Alabama | $48,920 |
| Mississippi | $48,020 |
| West Virginia | $47,700 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Surgical Technologists
Surgical Technologist Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$43,290 – $51,740 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$62,830 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$77,140 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $90,700+ |
How to Earn More as a Surgical Technologist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Surgical Technologists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $103,190 — $40,360 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($77,140) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Surgical Technologist Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Surgical Technologistthis career | $62,830 |
| Anesthesiologist Assistant | $133,260 |
| Radiation Therapist | $101,990 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $80,450 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $223,210 |
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SOC: 29-2055.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.