Location has the greatest impact on surgical tech salary. Surgical technician salaries are heavily influenced by demand for surgical services, the cost of living, and other location-related factors.
Surgical technicians are in high demand in states with large cities and populations, and thus higher-paying jobs are available. There are exceptions, such as Alaska, which, due to its remote location and the need to make jobs more appealing, pays a relatively high surgical tech salary.
The 50 states and the District of Columbia are listed below, along with some surgical tech salary figures.
| State | Lowest Salary | Median Salary | Highest Salary | Average Salary |
| Alabama (see schools) | $26,420 | $37,600 | $55,530 | $39,140 |
| Alaska (see schools) | $42,470 | $58,510 | $102,500 | $63,370 |
| Arizona (see schools) | $31,190 | $47,730 | $69,840 | $48,720 |
| Arkansas (see schools) | $24,980 | $35,710 | $51,520 | $37,090 |
| California (see schools) | $31,550 | $50,690 | $76,320 | $52,220 |
| Colorado (see schools) | $31,670 | $47,390 | $69,140 | $48,440 |
| Connecticut (see schools) | $35,800 | $54,310 | $75,670 | $54,590 |
| DC (see schools) | $42,520 | $59,550 | $73,360 | $58,650 |
| Delaware (see schools) | $34,300 | $49,440 | $68,710 | $50,050 |
| Florida (see schools) | $26,380 | $38,160 | $61,200 | $41,080 |
| Georgia (see schools) | $25,510 | $39,390 | $60,810 | $41,310 |
| Hawaii (see schools) | $24,610 | $49,110 | $71,720 | $48,070 |
| Idaho (see schools) | $23,220 | $36,520 | $57,490 | $38,900 |
| Illinois (see schools) | $32,850 | $56,000 | $88,430 | $57,630 |
| Indiana (see schools) | $24,610 | $41,010 | $64,530 | $43,250 |
| Iowa (see schools) | $27,890 | $43,310 | $69,190 | $45,770 |
| Kansas (see schools) | $24,400 | $42,310 | $63,460 | $43,810 |
| Kentucky (see schools) | $23,180 | $37,190 | $55,810 | $38,390 |
| Louisiana (see schools) | $27,160 | $40,620 | $60,890 | $42,580 |
| Maine (see schools) | $29,990 | $42,890 | $57,590 | $43,060 |
| Maryland (see schools) | $28,960 | $48,330 | $76,650 | $49,870 |
| Massachusetts (see schools) | $35,020 | $56,290 | $75,760 | $56,190 |
| Michigan (see schools) | $29,380 | $44,890 | $69,670 | $47,450 |
| Minnesota (see schools) | $30,800 | $47,180 | $64,740 | $47,750 |
| Mississippi (see schools) | $20,980 | $34,510 | $53,100 | $35,400 |
| Missouri (see schools) | $28,370 | $45,010 | $67,580 | $46,180 |
| Montana (see schools) | $29,560 | $44,440 | $65,270 | $46,220 |
| Nebraska (see schools) | $30,380 | $43,610 | $68,650 | $46,380 |
| Nevada (see schools) | $30,640 | $50,630 | $72,030 | $49,500 |
| New Hampshire (see schools) | $31,800 | $45,770 | $64,280 | $47,020 |
| New Jersey (see schools) | $34,160 | $53,420 | $75,260 | $54,030 |
| New Mexico (see schools) | $22,170 | $39,770 | $55,450 | $38,990 |
| New York (see schools) | $28,460 | $50,530 | $75,260 | $51,890 |
| North Carolina (see schools) | $27,030 | $38,040 | $56,590 | $40,190 |
| North Dakota (see schools) | $32,360 | $44,570 | $60,100 | $45,460 |
| Ohio (see schools) | $26,870 | $42,580 | $63,360 | $43,690 |
| Oklahoma (see schools) | $25,620 | $40,100 | $58,150 | $41,460 |
| Oregon (see schools) | $28,410 | $47,750 | $74,960 | $50,170 |
| Pennsylvania (see schools) | $29,170 | $44,390 | $64,950 | $45,680 |
| Rhode Island (see schools) | $40,000 | $52,990 | $75,020 | $54,250 |
| South Carolina (see schools) | $23,960 | $36,070 | $51,660 | $36,860 |
| South Dakota (see schools) | $26,630 | $39,350 | $61,760 | $42,270 |
| Tennessee (see schools) | $24,810 | $37,430 | $57,490 | $39,140 |
| Texas (see schools) | $24,420 | $39,300 | $58,970 | $40,660 |
| Utah (see schools) | $29,710 | $41,980 | $63,820 | $44,030 |
| Vermont (see schools) | $31,470 | $43,590 | $57,330 | $43,490 |
| Virginia (see schools) | $25,380 | $40,580 | $64,940 | $42,920 |
| Washington (see schools) | $32,010 | $49,330 | $75,250 | $51,340 |
| West Virginia (see schools) | $21,140 | $32,680 | $55,460 | $35,450 |
| Wisconsin (see schools) | $30,620 | $44,810 | $67,380 | $47,000 |
| Wyoming (see schools) | $25,080 | $39,130 | $56,320 | $39,150 |
What are the employment prospects for surgical technologists?
ST employment is expected to grow by 9% through 2030, resulting in over 9,000 new jobs, according to the BLS. Medical technology advancements, which have continued to make surgery safer and more common, will drive employment growth.
Furthermore, demand for a wide range of healthcare services, including operations, is expected to rise as the baby boomer population ages. People are staying active later in life and may require surgery to improve mobility. Hip and knee replacements, for instance, are common procedures among the elderly.
What are the responsibilities of surgical technologists?
Surgical technologists collaborate with surgeons and nurses to ensure that surgical procedures are completed successfully. Surgical technologists are involved in every aspect of a procedure and can even assist the surgeon during certain parts.
A surgical tech will do the following on a typical day:
- Make the operating room ready. STs are in charge of gathering all of the necessary supplies and instruments for a procedure. They must memorise each surgical procedure in order to understand what tools are required and in what order the surgeon will require them.
- Surgical instruments should be sterilised. The ST’s responsibilities include sterilising all operating room equipment, setting up sterile drapes, and ensuring that the surgeon and other staff members follow proper aseptic technique. This reduces the risk of infection after a procedure and ensures that the patient recovers quickly.
- Make sure the patient is ready. The job of some STs, known as “circulating technologists,” is to interview and debrief the patient prior to the procedure. They assist with anaesthesia and open packages for other team members to maintain the sterile field during the surgery.
- Assist the surgeon during the procedure. STs assist the surgeon by passing instruments, holding retractors, and cutting sutures during the procedure. During surgery, a circulating ST will keep a written record of the procedure and answer the surgeon’s questions about the patient. A skilled ST may also be able to help with wound closure at the conclusion of a procedure.
- Clean up and get ready for the next step. When the procedure is completed, the ST cleans the room and all of the equipment before moving on to the next procedure.
The majority of surgical technologists work in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities as part of operating room teams. Some STs manage central supply departments in hospitals, while others work for insurance companies, sterile supply companies, and operating equipment companies.
Earnings of surgical technologists by seniority 90th percentile
Earnings for top-level surgical technologists start at $39.59 per hour.
Annual salary: $82,350
75% of the population
Earnings for senior surgical technologists start at $35.22 per hour.
Annual salary: $73,260
50% of the population
Earnings for a mid-level surgical technologist start at $29.01 per hour.
The annual salary is $60,340.
Earnings for junior-level surgical technologists start at $23.54 per hour in the 25th percentile.
Annual salary: $48,950
10% of the population
Starting salaries for surgical technologists start at $19.52 per hour.
The annual salary is $40,590.
Annual Salary Median
Pay for surgical technologists and technicians rises with experience and education, according to the most recent report from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
In most cases, a full-time surgical technologist will be offered a benefits package that includes health insurance, vacation and holiday pay, sick leave, and a 401(k) plan. Tuition reimbursement may also be available, allowing you to renew your credentials or certification at a reduced or no cost to you.
According to the 2020 BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, surgical tech median annual salaries vary by state:
Job Prospects for Surgical Technologists
Surgical technologists’ employment is expected to grow at a faster rate than the national average through 2030.
Surgery technologists may be assured of steady work as technological advancements have made surgery safer, and as the ageing population requires care. Those who have completed an accredited education programme and maintain their professional certification have the best chances.
Surgical technologists can advance to surgical assistants with experience and additional education. The good news is that there may be online degree and education programmes available for those who need to work while continuing their education.
Rn or Surgical Tech: Who Makes More Money?
For a variety of reasons, some surgical technicians may be tempted to consider it. Nursing staff, on average, earns more than surgical technicians, according to statistics. In 2018, nurses made an average of over $75,000 per year, while surgery techs made an average of $47,000.
Do Surgical Assistants Get Paid Well?
On Indeed, you can find salaries for surgical assistants. According to the findings, the average annual salary is $38,494. Salary ranges from $7 to $10 per hour. $25 to $53 would be considered in this range. A minimum hourly wage of 65 dollars is required.
How much does a surgeon’s assistant earn?
The annual salary of a Surgical Physician Assistant is $82 per year, with an average salary of $172,366 per year. Drivers in the United States are paid 87 dollars per hour. The bottom 10% earn around $104,000 per year, while the top 10% earn $284,000 per year. The majority of the time, choosing the right location will take care of itself.
As a Surgical Technologist, how much tax will you have to pay? (Surgical Tech)
In 2018, the average federal tax rate for an individual filer in this tax bracket is expected to be 22 percent. Surgical Technologist (Surgical Tech)s can expect to take home $39,463 per year after federal taxes, with each paycheck equaling about $1,644*.
