A career as a surgical technologist is not only satisfying but also stable. Surgical technologists, also called operating room technicians, support every step of successful surgeries. They set up the operating rooms. They sterilize instruments. They also assist the surgeons during operations. One of the most frequently asked questions before a person joins this field is the question of salary. Understanding Surgical Tech salary by state helps both new and experienced workers find the highest-paying jobs.
This post shows a visual comparison of wages in the US. It also explains factors that can affect salaries. Lastly, it highlights the areas where surgical techs earn the most. Be it at the start of your career or a consideration of your next move, this handbook will guide you towards the right choice.
Hence, which location offers the highest salaries to surgical techs? Find out.
What Determines a Surgical Tech Salary?
It is helpful to know what factors affect a Surgical Tech Salary before going through a state-by-state breakdown.
1. Location
What state and city you choose to work in will have the biggest impact on how much you make. High cost of living areas usually come with high wages.
2. Experience
Most new graduates usually receive their salaries on the lower end of the scale. With surgical techs getting more years of experience, their pay can increase by multiples.
3. Type of Employer
The salaries of hospitals, outpatient centers, and specialty surgical clinics can be different. In general, metropolitan large hospitals tend to offer higher wages.
4. Education and Certifications
On average, uncertified surgical technologists earn less than the certified ones. The pursuit of further certifications can also help to increase one’s earnings.
5. Demand for Healthcare Workers
The areas that are suffering from a lack of healthcare staff are the ones that probably have high salaries to attract workers.
Surgical Tech Salary: National Average
Across the US, the average Surgical Tech Salary is about $55,000 per year, or roughly $26 per hour. Nevertheless, this figure is not even close to being the same everywhere. The states with the lowest wages may bring the national average down to about $40,000 annually, whereas the high wage states may even have averages touching $70,000 and beyond.
Top 10 Highest Paying States for Surgical Techs
Targeting a high salary, you may think of these states first.
1. California
The state with the most consistent record of being a top-paying state for surgical techs is California.
- Average Salary: $72,000 – $75,000 annually
- Reason for the High Pay: The high cost of living, a large number of hospital systems, and demand in metropolitan areas.
- Best Cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego
2. Alaska
Albeit far, Alaska has high wages to attract healthcare workers.
- Average Salary: $68,000 – $70,000 annually
- Reason for the High Pay: A small labor force and high living costs.
- Best Cities: Anchorage, Fairbanks
3. Massachusetts
With a well-established healthcare system, Massachusetts offers competitive salaries.
- Average Salary: $66,000 – $68,000 annually
- Reason for the High Pay: Top-class hospitals and pricey living.
- Best Cities: Boston, Worcester
4. New York
New York provides high salaries, especially in the metropolitan area.
- Average Salary: $65,000 – $67,000 annually
- Reason for the High Pay: A large number of patients and major healthcare centers.
- Best Cities: New York City, Buffalo
5. Connecticut
The New England state is not shy in showing her readiness to pay Surgical Tech salary professionals highly.
- Average Salary: $63,000 – $65,000 per year
- Why High: The urban regions in the state are known for their buzzing healthcare industry alongside growing demand for health services.
- Best Cities: Hartford, New Haven
6. Nevada
Besides the healthcare sector, the Tourism industry has also contributed to the city’s rise in wages.
- Average Salary: $62,000 – $64,000 per year
- Why High: The increase of population and the demand for surgeries.
- Best Cities: Las Vegas, Reno
7. Oregon
The State of Oregon has a compelling combination of good salaries and developing opportunities.
- Average Salary: $61,000 – $63,000 per year
- Why High: The need is all around for medics due to low population in towns and overpopulation in city areas.
- Best Cities: Portland, Eugene
8. Washington
Washington, which is just a stone’s throw from Oregon as far as the pay scale is concerned, is still among the leaders.
- Average Salary: $60,000 – $62,000 per year
- Why High: The systems and infrastructures of healthcare are constantly expanding in urban job markets.
- Best Cities: Seattle, Spokane
9. Minnesota
Not only the most illustrious clinics but the state of Minnesota also pays well the surgical techs.
- Average Salary: $59,000 – $61,000 per year
- Why High: It is because of the presence of large and famous healthcare centers, such as the Mayo Clinic, accordingly.
- Best Cities: Minneapolis, Rochester
10. Colorado
For sure, the fast increasing population has resulted in high demand for healthcare professionals, and still, Colorado is not lagging far behind in terms of offering high salaries.
States with Moderate Surgical Tech Salaries
There are several states that have not reached the top level but still maintain good salaries and a reasonable cost of living.
- Texas: $52,000 – $54,000 per year
- Florida: $50,000 – $52,000 per year
- Illinois: $53,000 – $55,000 per year
- Georgia: $48,000 – $50,000 per year
- Arizona: $54,000 – $56,000 per year
Though these are not the states with the highest Surgical Tech salary, the affordable living costs make the money stretch further.
Lowest Paying States for Surgical Techs
There are several states where the wages for surgical techs are low due to a low demand for the profession and/or low living costs.
- Mississippi: $40,000 – $42,000 per year
- Arkansas: $41,000 – $43,000 per year
- West Virginia: $42,000 – $44,000 per year
- Alabama: $43,000 – $45,000 per year
- South Dakota: $44,000 – $46,000 per year
These states with low wages might be appealing to budget-conscious people, despite the low salaries, due to the affordable lifestyles available there.
Urban vs. Rural Salary Differences
In almost every state, there are higher salaries in urban areas than in rural ones. For instance, a Surgical Tech salary in New York City can make $67,000 annually, while one located in the rural upstate New York area will get $55,000. Rural jobs, as those with lower pay, sometimes come with the perks of lower housing costs and slower-paced lifestyles.
Future Job Outlook for Surgical Techs
The necessity for surgical technologists is anticipated to increase constantly. Jobs in this sector are expected to grow by 5% to 7% within the next ten years according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Therefore, it means that more chances for work with higher wages could be available in the future. The health sector expansion will be a cause of the continuous demand for skilled surgical techs.
Tips to Increase Your Surgical Tech Salary
If you want the salary in your field to increase, look at these options of achieving it:
- Get Certified – Certified surgical technologists get more money than those that are not.
- Gain Experience – Naturally, for more years in the field, higher salaries will be paid.
- Specialize – The higher pay of one specializing in cardiovascular or neurosurgery is caused by the fact that they are working in a special area of medicine.
- Relocate – You can raise the amount of money you earn by a great margin if you move to places that pay a lot whether it be cities or states.
- Continue Education – More competitive positions with better pay are the result of extra courses and degrees.
Conclusion
State by state, a surgical tech salary can be very different, with California, Alaska, and Massachusetts being the places that pay the most. Although some states may have low wages, the price of living is usually able to compensate for the difference. The key to it is first knowing whether one would rather be going for a career that pays well or one that brings a better quality of life.
Newcomers to the profession or those wanting to relocate can anticipate how much they will be paid in a particular state to assist them in making the best choice about their future. This career path is one which offers stability, growth, and good wages throughout the United States as the demand for Surgical Tech salary keeps on rising.
FAQs
1. What is the average Surgical Tech Salary in the U.S.?
The average pay is approximately $55,000 a year, though it is different for each state.
2. Which state pays the highest Surgical Tech Salary?
By far, California remains the top state where Surgical Tech salary receive the highest ranging from about $72,000 to $75,000 per year.
3. Do certifications affect Surgical Tech Salary?
Indeed, to be a certified surgical tech, one is usually among the top-paid surgical techs who earn a salary significantly higher than non-certified surgical techs.
4. Is the Surgical Tech Salary higher in cities or rural areas?
Usually, urban areas pay more, but some rural jobs could offer you a salary that, when combined with a lower living cost, becomes competitive.
5. What is the job outlook for surgical technologists?
The demand for surgical technologists is projected to increase by 5% to 7% in the next ten years or so, thus providing more job opportunities.
