If you’re researching surgical tech salary figures, here’s the short answer: surgical technologists earn a national median wage of $62,830 per year, or about $30.21 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Actual pay depends heavily on certification status, years of experience, employer type, specialty, and location — entry-level techs often start in the low $40,000s, while experienced specialty technologists or first assistants can earn well above $90,000. This guide breaks down hourly pay, state and metro differences, travel contract earnings, and how surgical technology compares financially to related allied health careers.
Salary Data Methodology
Two categories of data inform this guide, and it helps to know the difference between them.
- Primary source: National, state, and metro-level wage figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program and its Occupational Outlook Handbook. These are survey-based, employer-reported figures and represent the most reliable benchmark for this occupation.
- Secondary sources: Travel and contract pay figures come from current healthcare staffing listings. These numbers fluctuate with market demand, often bundle taxable wages with non-taxable stipends, and should be treated as directional market indicators rather than fixed benchmarks.
State-level geographic detail below reflects the most recent full BLS geographic release, while national headline figures reflect the more recent update — a normal lag in how different levels of BLS data get published.
Surgical Tech Salary at a Glance
| Metric | Figure |
| Median annual salary | $62,830 |
| Median hourly wage | $30.21 |
| Entry-level range (10th–25th percentile) | 43,290–50,560 |
| Experienced range (75th–90th percentile) | 74,430–90,700 |
| Pathways associated with higher earning potential | Travel contracts, specialty OR roles, CSFA credential |
| Projected job growth (2024–2034) | 5% (faster than average) |
Read more: Surgical Tech Salary
National Surgical Technologist Salary by Percentile
| Percentile | Annual Wage |
| 10th (entry-level) | $43,290 |
| 25th | $50,560 |
| 50th (median) | $62,830 |
| 75th | $74,430 |
| 90th (experienced/specialized) | $90,700 |
Entry-level pay typically clusters near the lower percentiles, while experienced technologists in specialty departments or high-cost regions land in the upper range.
Surgical Tech Hourly Pay Breakdown
Many surgical technologists are paid hourly rather than salaried, which makes hourly figures especially relevant for shift planning and overtime calculations.
| Experience Level | Approximate Hourly Rate |
| Entry-level (0–1 year) | 20–24/hour |
| Median (national) | ~$30/hour |
| Experienced/specialized | 35–45+/hour |
| Travel/contract assignments | 22–60+/hour, plus stipends |
Can Surgical Techs Make Six Figures?
For a staff, salaried position, reaching $100,000 is uncommon — BLS data puts the 90th percentile at $90,700 nationally. Six-figure earnings become realistic mainly through three paths: consistently working travel or contract assignments during peak-demand periods, advancing into a Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) role, or combining specialty operating room experience with overtime and call pay in a high-paying metro area. None of these outcomes is guaranteed, and each involves tradeoffs in stability, benefits, or work-life balance.
What Determines Surgical Tech Pay
CST Certification and Employability
Holding a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) may improve employability and access to higher-paying positions, since many hospitals prefer or require certification for operating room hiring — though actual pay differences vary by employer and region. Certification is typically earned after completing a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or ABHES, followed by passing the national CST exam.
CST vs. CSFA: A Meaningful Pay Gap
Certified Surgical First Assistants (CSFAs) take on an expanded scope — directly assisting the surgeon with tissue handling, hemostasis, and wound closure — rather than managing the sterile field from the technician side. Some CSFAs may exceed $100,000 annually, particularly those working in high-volume specialties, contract roles, or independent first-assist arrangements, though this isn’t representative of all CSFAs and depends heavily on case volume, location, and contract structure. CSFA compensation data comes largely from industry and staffing sources rather than a dedicated federal wage survey, so treat these figures as directional rather than precise.
Surgical Tech Salary by Work Setting
| Workplace | Typical Pay Pattern |
| Trauma hospital | Higher shift and on-call differentials from unpredictable case volume |
| Academic medical center | Competitive base pay with specialty and surgical robotics exposure |
| Ambulatory surgery center (ASC) | Predictable daytime schedules, fewer call shifts |
| Private practice / physician office | Generally lower pay, more consistent hours |
Specialty and Robotic Surgery Experience
Some employers offer higher compensation for specialty experience — cardiovascular, neurosurgery, or orthopedics — especially in complex surgical departments, and familiarity with robotic surgery systems is increasingly valued as more facilities adopt robotic-assisted platforms. These premiums are employer-specific rather than standardized industry-wide.
Surgical Tech Career Progression and Pay
| Career Stage | Typical Earnings Pattern |
| Surgical technology student | Unpaid or stipend-based clinical training |
| New CST | Entry-level wages, roughly 10th–25th percentile |
| Experienced CST (5+ years) | Median to upper-quartile wages |
| Lead or charge surgical tech | Above-median pay with a responsibility differential |
| Certified Surgical First Assistant | Highest earning ceiling within the surgical tech career track |
Travel Surgical Tech Salary
Travel and contract assignments generally pay more per week than staff positions but typically exclude benefits like paid time off, health insurance, and retirement contributions. A travel contract usually breaks down into three components:
- Taxable hourly wage: Often lower than the advertised weekly rate suggests, since that figure excludes the stipend portion.
- Non-taxable housing and meal stipend: Based on federal per-diem rates for the assignment location; this is the largest driver of headline weekly pay figures.
- Completion bonuses: Some agencies add a bonus for finishing the full contract term, typically 8–13 weeks.
Current listings show weekly gross pay commonly in the $1,800 to $3,000+ range, depending on specialty, location, and contract length. Whether travel work is worth it depends on individual priorities — it can boost annual income for technologists comfortable with relocation and less job security, but it isn’t automatically more lucrative once benefits and housing costs are factored in.
Surgical Tech Salary by State
| State | Mean Annual Wage | Mean Hourly Wage |
| Connecticut | $79,080 | $38.02 |
| California | $76,170 | $36.62 |
| Nevada | $73,800 | $35.48 |
| Washington | $73,580 | $35.38 |
| Alaska | $73,440 | $35.31 |
| New York | $73,150 | $35.17 |
| Texas | $60,070 | $28.88 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,900 | $28.32 |
| Florida | $56,730 | $27.28 |
| Alabama | $46,060 | $22.14 |
Metro-Level Pay Examples
Wages vary sharply even within a single state, driven by local cost of living and hospital demand.
| Metro Area | Mean Annual Wage |
| San Francisco–Oakland–Hayward, CA | $95,800 |
| New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $75,700 |
| Boston–Cambridge–Nashua, MA-NH | $72,760 |
| Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA | $67,720 |
| Phoenix–Mesa–Scottsdale, AZ | $66,640 |
| Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TX | $64,870 |
| Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land, TX | $63,290 |
| Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $62,950 |
A San Francisco Bay Area surgical tech can out-earn the national median by more than $30,000 a year, though the Bay Area’s cost of living is also substantially higher — a reminder that nominal wage differences don’t automatically translate into equivalent purchasing power.
Surgical Tech Salary vs. Related Careers
Surgical technologists are sometimes confused with surgical assistants, a distinct occupation with a broader scope and its own wage table, reporting a median in the roughly 59,000–60,000 range with a wider spread up to $100,000+ at the 90th percentile.
| Career | Median Annual Salary | Typical Training Length |
| Surgical technologist | $62,830 | 12–24 months |
| Surgical assistant | ~59,000–60,000 | CST plus additional certification |
| Radiologic technologist | $77,660 | ~2 years (associate degree) |
| Respiratory therapist | $80,450 | ~2 years (associate degree) |
| Registered nurse | $93,600 | 2–4 years |
Why the salaries differ: These roles sit at different points on a scope-of-practice and licensure spectrum. Registered nurses carry independent clinical judgment and broader legal scope, supporting the highest median pay. Radiologic technologists and respiratory therapists require associate-level education tied to specific diagnostic or treatment equipment. Surgical technologists have the shortest typical training path and a narrower, procedure-support role, corresponding to a lower median but faster time-to-employment.
Job Outlook for Operating Room Technicians
Employment for surgical assistants and technologists combined is projected to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the average for all occupations — with roughly 8,700 openings projected per year across both roles. Growth is driven by rising outpatient surgical volumes, an aging population requiring more procedures, and continued expansion of ambulatory surgery centers.
Is Surgical Tech a Financially Worth-It Career?
Surgical technology offers a comparatively fast path into full-time healthcare work — 12 to 24 months of training versus 2 to 4 years for nursing or radiologic technology. The tradeoff is a lower salary ceiling relative to those longer-training roles. For someone prioritizing shorter time-to-income, the math can work out favorably; for someone able to invest additional years of training, respiratory therapy, radiologic technology, or nursing generally offer higher long-term earning potential. Advancing toward CSFA certification or specializing in high-demand surgical areas are the most direct routes to closing that gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical techs make per hour?
The national median hourly wage for surgical technologists is about $30.21. Entry-level technologists typically earn closer to 20–24 per hour, while experienced or specialty-trained techs can earn 35–45 or more, and travel contract rates often run considerably higher once stipends are factored in.
How much does a surgical tech make starting out?
New graduates typically start near the 10th–25th percentile nationally, roughly $43,000 to $51,000 annually, depending on state, certification status, and facility type. Pay tends to rise steadily during the first two to three years as speed and reliability improve.
Does certified surgical technologist salary differ from non-certified pay?
Certification may improve employability and access to higher-paying hospital positions, since many employers prefer or require it, but actual pay differences vary by employer, state certification requirements, and local job market conditions rather than following a fixed formula.
What is the highest-paying surgical tech specialty?
Cardiovascular, neurosurgery, and orthopedic robotics are commonly cited as higher-paying specialties due to their complexity, though exact premiums are employer-specific rather than standardized nationally.
Do surgical techs make more in California or Texas?
Yes. California’s mean annual wage (76,170)isnotablyhigherthanTexas’s(60,070), reflecting both higher demand and a higher cost of living in California markets.
Are travel surgical tech jobs worth it?
It depends on your priorities. Travel contracts often pay more weekly, but you typically give up employer benefits, job security, and a consistent location — tradeoffs worth weighing against the higher gross pay.
Can surgical techs work internationally?
Some surgical technologists work abroad through military postings, medical missions, or specific international hospital contracts, but licensing, certification recognition, and pay structures vary significantly by country and aren’t standardized.
How much does a surgical tech make after 10 years?
Experienced technologists with a decade of tenure often land in the 75th–90th percentile range nationally (74,430–90,700), particularly if they’ve added specialty skills, leadership responsibilities, or a CSFA credential.
Is surgical tech salary different from surgical first assistant salary?
Yes, significantly. CSFAs take on an expanded surgical role and generally earn more than standard surgical technologists, with some exceeding $100,000 in high-volume or contract settings, compared to a $62,830 median for surgical technologists.
Why does surgical tech salary vary so much between sources?
Different sources measure pay differently — some report median wages, others report mean (average) wages, and some blend staff and travel pay together. Government wage surveys like the BLS OEWS report median and mean separately by percentile, which is why figures can look inconsistent when compared across job boards, staffing platforms, and salary aggregator sites.
