Surgical Technologist Salary
Surgical Technologists earn a median $64,650 a year nationally. Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
What surgical technologists do
Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons’ assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.0% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 7,100
Employment of surgical technologists is projected to grow 5.0% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 7,100 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Surgical Technologist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,578
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,008
- Medicare (1.45%)$937
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$54,126
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,940 | $22.09 | $39,093 |
| 25th percentile | $54,690 | $26.29 | $46,123 |
| Median (50th) | $64,650 | $31.08 | $54,126 |
| 75th percentile | $79,750 | $38.34 | $64,934 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,940 | $46.61 | $77,027 |
Best cities for surgical technologists (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas, TX | $79,990 | $65,103 | $63,152 | 2,790 |
| 2 | Houston, TX | $71,050 | $58,814 | $59,631 | 2,660 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $84,120 | $64,063 | $56,913 | 6,320 |
| 4 | Los Angeles, CA | $81,580 | $61,804 | $54,421 | 3,440 |
| 5 | Atlanta, GA | $67,570 | $53,481 | $53,450 | 2,400 |
| 6 | Chicago, IL | $66,360 | $52,360 | $50,543 | 2,530 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $84,120
- Los Angeles, CA — $81,580
- Dallas, TX — $79,990
- Houston, TX — $71,050
- Atlanta, GA — $67,570
- Chicago, IL — $66,360
Surgical Technologist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $82,640 | +8.5% | $62,217 | $39,370 – $94,010 | 290 |
| Oregon | $81,390 | +2.5% | $59,796 | $59,930 – $97,330 | 1,090 |
| California | $81,310 | +0.2% | $61,642 | $49,140 – $115,740 | 11,920 |
| Massachusetts | $80,870 | +3.3% | $61,899 | $60,350 – $109,550 | 2,220 |
| Alaska | $80,380 | +1.7% | $65,377 | $54,840 – $101,060 | 310 |
| Minnesota | $80,210 | +2.9% | $61,327 | $62,820 – $98,470 | 1,770 |
| Connecticut | $79,890 | −0.9% | $62,214 | $45,980 – $104,920 | 1,220 |
| New York | $79,550 | +5.7% | $61,095 | $53,680 – $105,330 | 6,540 |
| District of Columbia | $77,520 | +18.4% | $59,745 | $37,800 – $101,180 | 340 |
| Washington | $77,270 | +5.2% | $63,189 | $55,270 – $103,690 | 2,510 |
| New Jersey | $77,200 | +8.2% | $60,413 | $48,270 – $100,490 | 2,780 |
| Colorado | $75,740 | +15.3% | $59,489 | $51,040 – $92,580 | 2,100 |
| Nevada | $75,480 | −1.6% | $61,930 | $48,330 – $102,430 | 1,110 |
| New Hampshire | $75,040 | +11.2% | $61,621 | $56,760 – $87,560 | 370 |
| Rhode Island | $74,130 | +8.6% | $58,817 | $49,910 – $101,850 | 240 |
| Wisconsin | $74,120 | +12.5% | $58,426 | $59,410 – $86,670 | 2,180 |
| Idaho | $72,550 | +15.3% | $57,132 | $48,430 – $87,210 | 1,100 |
| Arizona | $72,260 | +7.0% | $58,067 | $50,030 – $96,840 | 2,410 |
| Maryland | $68,970 | +3.6% | $54,438 | $45,590 – $85,820 | 1,880 |
| Virginia | $67,580 | +6.5% | $53,301 | $47,980 – $102,020 | 1,910 |
| Texas | $65,220 | +4.1% | $54,584 | $39,950 – $92,580 | 10,160 |
| Illinois | $64,650 | +3.4% | $51,071 | $48,560 – $91,890 | 3,570 |
| Indiana | $64,240 | +4.3% | $51,931 | $51,350 – $80,600 | 2,680 |
| Georgia | $64,010 | +5.1% | $50,913 | $40,390 – $84,040 | 4,380 |
| Nebraska | $63,880 | +1.9% | $51,481 | $49,870 – $79,350 | 770 |
| Michigan | $63,320 | +1.6% | $50,617 | $43,690 – $79,550 | 3,840 |
| Maine | $62,860 | −0.2% | $49,627 | $48,330 – $80,380 | 470 |
| Utah | $62,720 | −1.0% | $50,719 | $45,760 – $87,430 | 1,170 |
| Pennsylvania | $62,680 | +1.5% | $50,619 | $47,130 – $77,760 | 4,490 |
| Florida | $62,440 | +2.3% | $52,351 | $41,270 – $85,620 | 9,120 |
| Ohio | $62,420 | +3.4% | $51,400 | $48,110 – $80,640 | 3,730 |
| Delaware | $62,250 | +0.0% | $49,420 | $48,150 – $79,310 | 340 |
| South Carolina | $62,160 | +2.3% | $49,553 | $38,830 – $75,210 | 2,680 |
| North Dakota | $61,640 | +2.8% | $51,708 | $50,440 – $72,120 | 370 |
| Oklahoma | $61,190 | +6.8% | $49,138 | $49,200 – $77,320 | 1,940 |
| Missouri | $61,120 | +1.2% | $49,355 | $44,930 – $78,410 | 2,100 |
| Montana | $60,970 | +0.6% | $49,061 | $37,690 – $79,330 | 490 |
| North Carolina | $60,920 | +3.8% | $49,207 | $45,990 – $78,650 | 4,400 |
| Vermont | $60,660 | −3.4% | $49,322 | $49,510 – $88,460 | 140 |
| Kansas | $60,600 | +5.2% | $48,290 | $44,720 – $76,880 | 1,200 |
| Iowa | $60,540 | +12.3% | $49,175 | $47,280 – $75,100 | 950 |
| Tennessee | $60,530 | +7.4% | $50,816 | $47,620 – $75,920 | 3,310 |
| Kentucky | $60,490 | +15.8% | $48,784 | $41,440 – $79,980 | 1,440 |
| South Dakota | $59,870 | +14.3% | $50,286 | $38,450 – $75,470 | 600 |
| Wyoming | $58,850 | +7.8% | $49,466 | $45,080 – $79,920 | 210 |
| Arkansas | $57,400 | +7.5% | $46,275 | $38,750 – $75,460 | 1,640 |
| Louisiana | $57,370 | +10.5% | $46,942 | $36,580 – $74,650 | 2,230 |
| New Mexico | $51,780 | −1.9% | $42,517 | $42,430 – $78,650 | 540 |
| Mississippi | $49,810 | +3.7% | $40,942 | $38,800 – $66,300 | 1,110 |
| Alabama | $49,420 | +1.0% | $39,683 | $36,490 – $64,360 | 2,480 |
| West Virginia | $49,110 | +3.0% | $40,159 | $38,010 – $72,010 | 580 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician | $47,380 | Associate's degree | +9.4% |
| Pharmacy Technician | $45,750 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.4% |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $45,570 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +21.4% |
| Psychiatric Technician | $45,130 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +22.3% |
| Dietetic Technician | $37,640 | Associate's degree | +2.7% |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse | $64,400 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +3.0% |
| Hearing Aid Specialist | $65,160 | High school diploma or equivalent | +19.4% |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician | $62,930 | Bachelor's degree | +2.7% |
| Paramedic | $60,600 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.7% |
| Cardiovascular Technologist and Technician | $74,310 | Associate's degree | +3.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a surgical technologist make?
The national median salary for surgical technologists is $64,650 a year ($31.08 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $45,940 and the top 10% earn over $96,940. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays surgical technologists the most?
Hawaii has the highest median pay at $82,640. After taxes and local prices, Dallas, TX offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many surgical technologists are there in the U.S.?
About 117,460 people work as surgical technologists nationwide.