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Surgical Technologist - Certified Salary in the United States

How much does a Surgical Technologist - Certified make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Surgical Technologist - Certified in the United States is $56,020 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

However, a Surgical Technologist - Certified's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $60,299
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $50,503 to $58,260
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $45,480
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Surgical Technologist - Certified Salaries

A Surgical Technologist - 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.

How Experience Level Affects Surgical Technologist - Certified Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Surgical Technologist - 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $54,208
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $54,373
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $56,187
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $57,123
  • Expert (over 8 years): $57,190
Levels Salary
Entry Level Surgical Technologist - Certified$54,208
Intermediate Level Surgical Technologist - Certified$54,373
Senior Level Surgical Technologist - Certified$56,187
Specialist Level Surgical Technologist - Certified$57,123
Expert Level Surgical Technologist - Certified$57,190
View as Graph

How Do Surgical Technologist - Certifieds Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Technologist - Certifieds. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $62,025.
  • California: $61,790.
  • Massachusetts: $60,967.

Top Paying Cities for Surgical Technologist - Certified

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $70,658
  • San Francisco: $69,884
  • Oakland: $68,412

What Skills Can Increase a Surgical Technologist - Certified's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 3.36% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Basic Life Support (Mentioned in 3.08% Job Postings): BLS is a level of medical care which is used for patients with life-threatening illnesses or injuries until they can be given full medical care by advanced life support providers. It can be provided by trained medical personnel.
  • Cardiac (Mentioned in 2.09% Job Postings): Cardiac means relating to the heart. The adjective cardiac is most often used in a medical context: a doctor who operates on people's hearts is a cardiac surgeon and an irregular heart beat is called "cardiac arrhythmia."
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 3.36%
Basic Life Support 3.08%
Cardiac 2.09%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Surgical Technologist - Certified's salary.

  • Team Building: Can increase your salary by up to 36%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Accountability: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Team Building $76,187
36%
Innovation $59,381
6%
Accountability $58,821
5%
Get Latest Data

Surgical Technologist - Certified Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Surgical Technologist - Certified salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $59,422. While startup companies pay approximate $50,636.

Surgical Technologist - Certified Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $50,636
Growth Stage 51~500 $53,453
Established 501~5000 $57,479
Enterprise 5000+ $59,422

Surgical Technologist - Certified Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Surgical Technologist - Certified roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Surgical Technologist - Certified positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Surgical Technologist - Certified as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Surgical Technologist - Certified

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$67,224$32.020%

How Education impacts an Surgical Technologist - Certified's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Surgical Technologist - Certified enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Surgical Technologist - Certified with a Bachelor's Degree is between $55,553 and $58,792.

Surgical Technologist - Certified Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Surgical Technologist - Certified
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%
View as Graph

Surgical Technologist - Certified Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Surgical Technologist - 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 August 01, 2026
$50,503
Average $56,020/year
$58,260
$4,209
Average $4,668/month
$4,855
$971
Average $1,077/week
$1,120
$24
Average $27/hour
$28
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $58,260 $4,855 $1,120 $28
Average $56,020 $4,668 $1,077 $27
25th Percentile $50,503 $4,209 $971 $24

Surgical Technologist - Certified Salary Growth & Career Path

Surgical Technologist - Certified

Next Role

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Surgical Technologist - 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 Technologist - Non-certified $54,484 -3%
Anesthesia Technician $48,492 -13%
Surgery Prep Technician $42,531 -24%

Most common benefits for Surgical Technologist - Certified

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Surgical Technologist - Certified

Here are companies hiring for Surgical Technologist - Certified and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Surgical Technologist - Certified

1. Where can a Surgical Technologist - Certified earn the most?

A Surgical Technologist - Certified's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Surgical Technologist - Certified earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Surgical Technologist - Certified is $70,658.

2. What is the highest pay for Surgical Technologist - Certified?

The highest pay for Surgical Technologist - Certified is $60,299.

3. What is the lowest pay for Surgical Technologist - Certified?

The lowest pay for Surgical Technologist - Certified is $45,480.

4. What are the responsibilities of Surgical Technologist - Certified?

Assists surgeons and other medical professionals before, during, and after surgical procedures. Responsible for ensuring the operating room environment is safe, and that the required equipment is available, sterile, and functioning properly. Observes the patient's vital signs, checks charts, and provides instruments, sutures, and other sterile supplies as needed. Coordinates preparation or disposal of specimens and delivery to laboratory. May assist in patient transport post-surgery and operation room clean up. Requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Certified Operating Room Technologist (CORT) or Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) required. CPR certification required. Typically reports to a supervisor. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Surgical Technologist - Certified?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Surgical Technologist - Certified roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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.

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