As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Surgical Technician in the United States is $52,500. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $45,431 to a high of $66,637, with most professionals earning between $48,800 and $59,900.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $59,900 | $4,992 | $1,152 | $29 |
| Average | $52,500 | $4,375 | $1,010 | $25 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,800 | $4,067 | $938 | $23 |
An entry-level Surgical Technician with less than 1 year of experience earns about $51,837. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $52,721. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $55,813. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $56,145, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $56,366.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Surgical Technician | $51,837 |
| Intermediate Level Surgical Technician | $52,721 |
| Senior Level Surgical Technician | $55,813 |
| Specialist Level Surgical Technician | $56,145 |
| Expert Level Surgical Technician | $56,366 |
| Entry Level | 1% |
| Mid Level | 0% |
| Senior Level | 6% |
| Top Level | 7% |
| Experienced | 7% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Surgical Technician compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $57,255 in 2023 to approximately $52,224 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Surgical Technician salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Surgical Technician information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Surgical Technician job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Surgical Technician and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $52,500 | 69.8% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $4,016 | 5.3% | ||
| 401K/403B | $2,573 | 3.4% | ||
| Disability | $840 | 1.1% | ||
| Healthcare | $6,371 | 8.5% | ||
| Pension | $2,205 | 2.9% | ||
| Time Off | $6,663 | 8.9% | ||
| Total Compensation | $75,168 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.5% |
| High School | 47.1% |
| Associates | 43.1% |
| Bachelors | 7.7% |
| Masters | 0.7% |
| Doctorate | 1.0% |
What Am I Worth?
Nursing school is generally considered more challenging than surgical tech school. While some states require surgical techs to register, all states mandate that nurses pass a licensing exam to become registered nurses. Additionally, surgical technicians can expect salaries ranging from $50,100 to $62,200, with a median salary of $55,900, reflecting the differences in training and responsibilities.
Yes, you can make a good living as a surgical technician. The salary ranges from a minimum of $50,100 to a mid-level of $55,900, with a maximum of $62,200 per year. Experienced surgical techs may earn even more, especially in high-demand areas. Job opportunities in this field are expected to grow faster than the national average.
A surgical technician (surgical tech) is not a registered nurse (RN). They have distinct educational paths and certification requirements. Surgical techs typically earn between $50,100 and $62,200, with a median salary of $55,900. RNs have a broader scope of responsibilities and generally require more extensive training and licensure.
Becoming a surgical tech can take just 12 to 24 months of training, allowing you to enter the workforce quickly. This shorter educational path not only reduces your debt but also opens the door to a rewarding career with a salary range from $50,100 to $62,200, depending on experience and location.
Transitioning from a surgical tech to a registered nurse opens up a dynamic career pathway filled with growth opportunities. As a surgical technologist, your experience in the operating room is a valuable asset as you expand your professional goals into nursing. With salaries ranging from $50,100 to $62,200, pursuing an RN role can lead to increased earning potential and job satisfaction.
According to the salary data, surgical technicians earn between $50,100 and $62,200 annually, with a median salary of $55,900. In comparison, LPNs earn approximately $59,730 per year. Therefore, while some surgical technicians may earn less, the potential maximum salary for surgical technicians is higher than that of LPNs.
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.
