Surgical Technologist Salary in Washington, DC
Surgical Technologists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $78,750 a year — 22% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $60,505 take-home, or $5,042 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median surgical technologist salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,495
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,883
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,142
- District of Columbia income tax$3,725
- Take-home pay$60,505
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Surgical Technologist pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,240 | $22.23 | $37,725 | $3,144 |
| 25th percentile | $63,990 | $30.76 | $50,883 | $4,240 |
| Median (50th) | $78,750 | $37.86 | $60,505 | $5,042 |
| 75th percentile | $92,840 | $44.63 | $69,220 | $5,768 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,420 | $49.24 | $75,145 | $6,262 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $78,750 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median surgical technologist's $60,505 take-home pay has the buying power of $55,569 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Surgical Technologist jobs are less concentrated in Washington, DC than nationally (location quotient 0.61), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for surgical technologists, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #21 of 57 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $106,840 | $76,896 | $69,638 |
| 2 | Dallas, TX | $79,990 | $65,103 | $63,152 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $99,390 | $72,445 | $62,662 |
| 4 | Buffalo, NY | $77,440 | $59,724 | $62,314 |
| 5 | Austin, TX | $73,810 | $60,755 | $61,954 |
| 6 | Las Vegas, NV | $74,200 | $61,030 | $60,899 |
| 7 | Boise City, ID | $76,650 | $59,799 | $60,777 |
| 8 | Milwaukee, WI | $74,830 | $58,887 | $60,748 |
| 21 | Washington, DC | $78,750 | $60,505 | $55,569 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 57 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a surgical technologist make in Washington, DC?
The median surgical technologist salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $78,750 a year, or about $37.86 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $63,990 and $92,840.
What is a surgical technologist’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $78,750 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $60,505 a year ($5,042 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,725 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a surgical technologist?
Pay here is 22% above the national median of $64,650. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $55,569 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #21 of 57 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a surgical technologist afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 39% of a median surgical technologist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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