As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Surgical Technician Certified in the United States is $56,083 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.
However, a Surgical Technician Certified's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2025 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered HR
Recruit with AI
A Surgical Technician Certified's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Surgical Technician Certified's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Surgical Technician Certified | $54,294 |
| Intermediate Level Surgical Technician Certified | $54,458 |
| Senior Level Surgical Technician Certified | $56,275 |
| Specialist Level Surgical Technician Certified | $57,236 |
| Expert Level Surgical Technician Certified | $57,304 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Surgical Technician Certifieds. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Commitment | 3.36% |
| Basic Life Support | 3.08% |
| Cardiac | 2.09% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Team Building
|
$76,273 |
36%
|
|
Innovation
|
$59,448 |
6%
|
|
Accountability
|
$58,887 |
5%
|
|
Communication Skills
|
$58,326 |
4%
|
|
Diversity and Inclusion
|
$58,326 |
4%
|
|
Anesthesia
|
$57,765 |
3%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Surgical Technician Certifieds enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Surgical Technician Certified with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $52,300 and $55,454).
Surgical Technician Certified Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.7% |
| High School | 58.7% |
| Associates | 30.1% |
| Bachelors | 8.4% |
| Masters | 2.1% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how a Surgical Technician Certified's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on January 01, 2026Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Surgical Technician Certified, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.
| Next Step Role | Estimate Salary | Projected Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Surgical Technician | $54,500 | -3% |
| Anesthesia Equipment Technician | $48,500 | -14% |
| Perioperative Tech | $42,700 | -24% |
Salaries for a Surgical Technician Certified can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $63,471 in 2023 to around $57,152 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Surgical Technician Certified salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $63,471 |
| 2024 | $59,837 |
| 2025 | $57,152 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Surgical Technician Certified and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Surgical Technician Certified job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
The surgical field that typically offers the highest salaries is neurosurgery. Neurosurgeons perform complex surgeries on the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. While specific salaries can vary, Surgical Technicians in this field can expect to earn between $52,513 and $64,513, with a median salary around $58,303.
Becoming a surgical technician typically requires completing a diploma or associate degree program, which can take about 1 to 2 years. Once certified, surgical techs can expect a salary ranging from approximately $52,513 to $64,513, with a median salary around $58,303. This career offers a rewarding path in the healthcare field with competitive compensation.
While many factors impact pay, surgical technologists generally earn about 35% less than registered nurses on average. Surgical tech salaries range from $52,513 to $64,513, with a mid-salary of $58,303. This allows for a comfortable living in most areas, despite being lower than RN salaries.
A surgical technician typically earns between $25.24 and $31.00 per hour, based on an annual salary range of $52,513 to $64,513. The median hourly wage is approximately $27.99, reflecting the average earnings in this profession. Salaries can vary by state and experience level.
Yes, you can advance from a surgical technician role. With experience and additional certifications, you may move into positions such as surgical first assistant or operating room manager. The salary for surgical technicians ranges from $52,513 to $64,513, with a median salary of $58,303, reflecting the potential for growth in this field.
As of January 26, 2025, the salary for a Certified Surgical Technician (CST) ranges from $52,513 to $64,513 annually, with a median salary of $58,303. This translates to approximately $1,008 to $1,240 per week, depending on experience and location.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
