How Much Does a Surgical Tech Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$64,650
Surgical techs in the U.S. earn a median of $64,650 a year, or $31.08 an hour. Half of surgical techs earn more than $64,650 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $96,940.
Pay percentiles for surgical techs
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22.09 | $45,940 |
| 25th | $26.29 | $54,690 |
| 50th (median) | $31.08 | $64,650 |
| 75th | $38.34 | $79,750 |
| 90th | $46.61 | $96,940 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Surgical Technologists (SOC 29-2055). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for surgical techs
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $82,640 | $39.73 | +28% |
| Oregon | $81,390 | $39.13 | +26% |
| California | $81,310 | $39.09 | +26% |
| Massachusetts | $80,870 | $38.88 | +25% |
| Alaska | $80,380 | $38.65 | +24% |
| Minnesota | $80,210 | $38.56 | +24% |
| Connecticut | $79,890 | $38.41 | +24% |
| New York | $79,550 | $38.25 | +23% |
| District of Columbia | $77,520 | $37.27 | +20% |
| Washington | $77,270 | $37.15 | +20% |
| United States | $64,650 | $31.08 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many surgical techs are there?
BLS counts about 117,460 surgical techs employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Surgical Technologists”. The most jobs are in California (11,920), Texas (10,160) and Florida (9,120).
The mean (average) annual wage is $68,710, higher than the median of $64,650.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $5,388
- Biweekly
- $2,487
- Weekly
- $1,243
- Daily (8 hours)
- $249
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do surgical techs make an hour?
The median hourly wage for surgical techs is $31.08. The middle 50% earn between $26.29 and $38.34 an hour.
Which state pays surgical techs the most?
Hawaii has the highest median wage for surgical techs at $82,640, +28% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for surgical techs?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of surgical techs earn less than $45,940 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.