Surgical technologists, the members of the operating-room team who prepare instruments and assist surgeons during procedures, earn a median of $64,650 a year ($31.08 an hour), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2025 survey. That puts the surgical technologist salary in the USA about $13,700 above the median for all American jobs. That headline number is just the starting point, though — because in this profession, what really moves your paycheck isn’t years on the job, it’s two things: the certifications after your name and whether you’re willing to travel. The top 10% already clear $96,940, and travel surgical techs go far beyond that.
The pay range, and what moves you up it
The middle half of the profession earns between $54,690 and $79,750, and the top 10% pass $96,940. The mean of $68,710 sits slightly above the median, pulled up by high-paying states and specialty roles. With about 117,000 surgical techs working nationally, the routes to the top of that range are specific and well known: certification, subspecialty and travel, all covered below.
Demand is a steady tailwind, too: an ageing population means more operations every year, and surgery doesn’t get outsourced.
Pay by state: where surgical techs earn the most
Location creates a swing of more than $30,000 between the highest and lowest states, and which state “leads” depends on the measure. By mean salary, Massachusetts tops the table at $83,820, with California and New York close behind. By median, the BLS puts Hawaii ($82,640), Oregon ($81,390) and California ($81,310) at the top. High-cost states pay well in raw dollars but less in real purchasing power. The table below shows every state, ranked by mean salary.
| State | Average annual salary | Average hourly wage | Median annual salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $83,820 | $40.30 | $80,870 |
| California | $82,810 | $39.81 | $81,310 |
| New York | $81,990 | $39.42 | $79,550 |
| Oregon | $80,990 | $38.94 | $81,390 |
| Minnesota | $79,670 | $38.30 | $80,210 |
| Alaska | $79,670 | $38.30 | $80,380 |
| Washington | $78,400 | $37.69 | $77,270 |
| Connecticut | $76,710 | $36.88 | $79,890 |
| New Jersey | $75,640 | $36.36 | $77,200 |
| Nevada | $74,880 | $36.00 | $75,480 |
| Rhode Island | $73,920 | $35.54 | $74,130 |
| Hawaii | $73,790 | $35.48 | $82,640 |
| Colorado | $72,820 | $35.01 | $75,740 |
| Arizona | $72,640 | $34.92 | $72,260 |
| Wisconsin | $72,530 | $34.87 | $74,120 |
| New Hampshire | $72,380 | $34.80 | $75,040 |
| Virginia | $71,790 | $34.51 | $67,580 |
| District of Columbia | $70,610 | $33.95 | $77,520 |
| Illinois | $70,070 | $33.69 | $64,650 |
| Idaho | $69,990 | $33.65 | $72,550 |
| Maryland | $69,740 | $33.53 | $68,970 |
| Indiana | $66,930 | $32.18 | $64,240 |
| Texas | $66,640 | $32.04 | $65,220 |
| Utah | $65,620 | $31.55 | $62,720 |
| Nebraska | $65,290 | $31.39 | $63,880 |
| Maine | $65,140 | $31.32 | $62,860 |
| Ohio | $64,770 | $31.14 | $62,420 |
| Georgia | $64,610 | $31.06 | $64,010 |
| Michigan | $64,590 | $31.05 | $63,320 |
| Vermont | $64,550 | $31.03 | $60,660 |
| Florida | $64,360 | $30.94 | $62,440 |
| Delaware | $64,320 | $30.92 | $62,250 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,480 | $30.52 | $62,680 |
| North Carolina | $61,530 | $29.58 | $60,920 |
| Kentucky | $61,370 | $29.50 | $60,490 |
| Missouri | $60,980 | $29.32 | $61,120 |
| North Dakota | $60,860 | $29.26 | $61,640 |
| Iowa | $60,450 | $29.06 | $60,540 |
| Oklahoma | $60,450 | $29.06 | $61,190 |
| Montana | $60,440 | $29.06 | $60,970 |
| Tennessee | $60,110 | $28.90 | $60,530 |
| South Carolina | $60,050 | $28.87 | $62,160 |
| Kansas | $59,880 | $28.79 | $60,600 |
| Wyoming | $59,730 | $28.72 | $58,850 |
| New Mexico | $58,580 | $28.16 | $51,780 |
| South Dakota | $58,390 | $28.07 | $59,870 |
| Arkansas | $57,940 | $27.86 | $57,400 |
| Louisiana | $55,870 | $26.86 | $57,370 |
| Mississippi | $53,190 | $25.57 | $49,810 |
| West Virginia | $52,290 | $25.14 | $49,110 |
| Alabama | $50,680 | $24.36 | $49,420 |
All state figures are official BLS estimates for May 2025. A few states are not listed because the BLS does not publish a reliable figure for them.
There’s a second layer to those state figures that raw BLS numbers don’t show. The top-paying states — Hawaii ($82,640), Oregon ($81,390) and California ($81,310) — all combine high demand with some of the highest living costs in the country, and California taxes that income on a progressive scale on top of federal. Meanwhile Washington ($77,270) and Nevada ($75,480) pay well above the national median and levy no state income tax at all, and Texas and Florida, also tax-free, pay close to it. More of the headline figure survives to your bank account there. The real gap between states is narrower after tax than the raw spread suggests — which is why it’s worth running both figures through the calculator below before you decide a relocation is worth it.
US Take-Home Pay Calculator (2026)
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This is an estimate for informational purposes only and is not tax advice. Federal income tax and FICA use official 2026 IRS and SSA figures. Every state is calculated using its real 2026 rate schedule and its own standard deduction or personal exemption — no flat approximations. State rates and brackets are as of 1 January 2026 (source: Tax Foundation, compiled from state statutes, forms and instructions). A few states index their bracket thresholds annually and had not published 2026 figures at compilation, so those reflect the most recent official schedule. Not included: city and county income taxes, state tax credits, itemised deductions, dependant exemptions, and state disability or paid-leave payroll levies (notably California's 1.1% and Washington's 0.58%). For an exact figure, consult the IRS, your state tax authority or a tax professional.
The certification premium: how CST and CSFA raise your salary
Two credentials change your earnings far more than experience does. The CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) typically adds $5,000–$8,000 a year and is now required by most US employers at hire — so it’s less a bonus than a baseline. The big jump comes from the CSFA (Certified Surgical First Assistant), which can mean a $20,000–$30,000 annual premium over a staff CST. Add subspecialty work — cardiovascular and neuro surgical techs command 15–25% premiums — and effective pay climbs well into the $90,000s without ever leaving a staff role.
Travel surgical tech: breaking six figures
The fastest route past the BLS numbers is travel work. Travel surgical technologists take 13-week contracts at hospitals facing staffing shortages, and once housing stipends and crisis-rate pay are factored in, they routinely earn $90,000 to $150,000 a year. It’s not for everyone — constant relocation and unfamiliar operating rooms are the trade-off — but for a young, mobile tech, it’s the single biggest lever on income in this field.
Surgical tech programs: how to qualify in the USA
Becoming a surgical technologist doesn’t require a four-year degree, which is a big part of the appeal. Most people qualify through a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical tech program at a community college or vocational school. These come in two forms: a certificate or diploma, which takes around 12 months, or an associate degree, which runs about two years and tends to open more doors. Programs combine classroom theory with hands-on clinical rotations in real operating rooms.
After finishing an accredited program, most graduates sit the NBSTSA exam to earn the CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) credential. A growing number of US states and employers now require CST certification at hire, so it’s effectively part of the job rather than an optional extra. The combination of a short, affordable program and a clear certification path is what makes surgical tech one of the fastest routes into a stable healthcare career.
Surgical tech vs LPN: who earns more?
This is one of the most common comparisons for anyone weighing a short healthcare program, and the answer surprises people: the pay is almost identical. The median surgical technologist earns $64,650, while the median LPN (licensed practical nurse) earns $64,400, a difference of just $250 a year. Surgical techs edge it slightly at the median, but the two are effectively neck and neck.
The real difference isn’t the money, it’s the work. Surgical techs spend their day in the operating room assisting surgeons, with predictable daytime hours in many surgery centers. LPNs work at the bedside in nursing homes, clinics and hospitals, often with more direct patient contact and more night and weekend shifts. Both take roughly 12–24 months to train, so the choice comes down to environment, not pay.
Surgical tech vs registered nurse: how the pay compares
People weighing healthcare paths often compare these two. A registered nurse out-earns a surgical tech on median pay (roughly $97,550 vs $64,650), but the surgical tech route is shorter and cheaper to train for — often a 12–24 month certificate versus a multi-year nursing degree. For career switchers, the real question is whether the higher RN ceiling justifies the extra training time. Compare the full picture in our guide to the registered nurse salary in the USA.
Frequently asked questions
Is surgical tech a good career in 2026?
Yes for the right person: strong demand, a short training path, and a clear ladder to $90K+ through certification, subspecialty or travel. The downsides are long shifts on your feet and the high-pressure operating-room environment.
How long does it take to become a surgical technologist?
Most complete a CAAHEP-accredited certificate or associate program in 12–24 months, then pass the NBSTSA exam to earn the CST credential. That certification is what lifts pay from entry level toward the top of the range.
Do surgical techs earn more in hospitals or surgery centers?
Hospitals usually pay more in base salary plus shift differentials and on-call pay, while outpatient surgery centers offer steadier daytime hours with less night and weekend work. The headline pay favours hospitals; the schedule often favours surgery centers.
For where surgical techs sit among clinical roles, see our ranking of the highest paying healthcare jobs in the USA, or how $64,650 compares with every job in the country in our guide to the average salary in the USA. The BLS covers training, certification and the job outlook in its Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for surgical technologists.