Surgical technologists in the US earn a median of $64,650 a year in base pay. The middle half earn between $54,690 and $79,750, and the top 10% earn more than $96,940 (BLS OEWS May 2025). To negotiate, aim for the part of that range that matches your experience — with 3–5 years, for example, $65,000 to $80,000 — and open slightly above it.
How much do surgical technologists make?
| Percentile | Annual base pay |
|---|---|
| 10th | $45,940 |
| 25th | $54,690 |
| Median | $64,650 |
| 75th | $79,750 |
| 90th | $96,940 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 — Surgical Technologists, national, about 117,460 jobs. BLS figures are base pay including commissions and production bonuses; they exclude year-end bonuses, stock, overtime and benefits.
Where surgical technologists earn the most
| State | Median | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $82,640 | $88,160 |
| Oregon | $81,390 | $94,640 |
| California | $81,310 | $99,260 |
| Massachusetts | $80,870 | $98,300 |
| Alaska | $80,380 | $93,470 |
Pay also differs within a state — big metro areas often pay more. Use your state's numbers when you set your target.
What should you ask for as a surgical technologist?
| Experience | Suggested target range | Open with about |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 years | $55,000–$65,000 | $68,000 |
| 3–5 years | $65,000–$80,000 | $84,000 |
| 6–10 years | $71,000–$85,000 | $89,000 |
| 10+ years | $80,000–$97,000 | $102,000 |
The ranges follow national percentiles by experience (25th–50th, 50th–75th, 60th–80th, 75th–90th); the opening number is the top of the range plus about 5%, rounded. Guidance, not a guarantee — check your state and experience, and see how to negotiate salary.
What drives surgical technologist pay?
Surgical technologists prepare operating rooms, pass instruments and keep the sterile field during surgery. Pay is often hourly and depends on call, shift and the specialties you can scrub — cardiac, neuro or orthopedic cases can make you harder to replace.
- Hourly rate plus call pay and call-back minimums.
- Specialties you can scrub independently.
- Certification (for example CST) and the hospital's scale.
- Setting: hospital OR versus ambulatory surgery center schedules.
Your leverage as a surgical technologist
- Specialties you can scrub without supervision.
- Call availability and short-notice coverage.
- Your CST certification and continuing education.
- Experience training new techs or students.
- A record of reliability in a short-staffed OR.
Only use leverage you really have. Never invent a competing offer.
Surgical technologist objections and how to answer
| They say | You can say |
|---|---|
| “Call pay is standard for everyone.” | “Understood. Could my base step reflect the cardiac and ortho cases I can scrub?” |
| “Surgery centers pay less because there's no call.” | “I value that schedule — and I'd still like the rate to match my specialty experience.” |
| “Certification doesn't change the rate here.” | “Could we agree on a review after 90 days, based on the cases I take on?” |
| “We can't match travel rates.” | “I'm not asking for travel rates — just the staff rate for my experience level.” |
Sample counter offer for a surgical technologist
Thanks for the offer — I'd like to join the OR team. With my CST and [number] years scrubbing [specialties], I'm asking for [hourly rate] plus call at [rate]. The national median for surgical technologists is $64,650 a year.
Then stop talking and let them respond.
Asking for a raise as a surgical technologist
Track the specialties you now scrub independently and the call you've covered. A new specialty is the strongest argument for the next step on the scale.