According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS), the average annual surgical tech salary in the U.S is $51,510, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Several factors such as demand for surgical services, training, experience and location can influence the salary of a surgical tech. Surgical tech in the U.S when compared to other related healthcare occupations earns the median salary position.
What does a surgical technologist do?
A surgical technologist is a health professional who prepares an operating room (OR) before surgery. They work alongside and help surgeons, nurses, and other health care team members throughout a surgical procedure.
Surgical technologists are also called surgical techs, surgical assistants, scrub techs, or operating room technicians.
SEE: Occupational Therapist Salary and Outlook
Their duties include preparing instruments for operation and making sure all the equipment is working. Surgical techs also prepare any sterile solutions or medications that the surgical team may need. A surgical tech takes care of the patients by dressing the wounds after the surgical operation.
To become a surgical tech, you must have at least an associate degree, certification or diploma in surgical programs. You will also need Continuous program development (CPD) to keep your degree or certification active for a job.
Surgical Tech Salary in the U.S by State
| State | Average Salary Per Hour | Average Salary | Lowest Salary | Highest salary |
| A – D | ||||
| Alabama | $18.58 | $39,140 | $26,420 | $55,530 |
| Alaska | $32.27 | $67,120 | $42,470 | $102,500 |
| Arizona | $25.32 | $52,670 | $31,190 | $69,840 |
| Arkansas | $25.32 | $42,390 | $24,980 | $51,520 |
| California | $31.04 | $64,570 | $31,550 | $76,320 |
| Colorado | $27.44 | $57,070 | $31,670 | $69,140 |
| Connecticut | $29.96 | $62,310 | $35,800 | $75,670 |
| DC | $29.63 | $61,620 | $42,520 | $73,360 |
| Delaware | $25.00 | $52,000 | $34,300 | $68,710 |
| F – I | ||||
| Florida | $22.46 | $46,710 | $26,380 | $61,200 |
| Georgia | $23.07 | $47,980 | $25,510 | $60,810 |
| Hawaii | $26.96 | $56,080 | $24,610 | $71,720 |
| Idaho | $23.37 | $48,600 | $23,220 | $57,490 |
| Illinois | $24.41 | $57,630 | $32,850 | $88,430 |
| Indiana | $23.74 | $49,380 | $24,610 | $64,530 |
| Iowa | $21.05 | $45,770 | $27,890 | $69,190 |
| K – O | ||||
| Kansas | $22.09 | $45,950 | $24,400 | $63,460 |
| Kentucky | $21.24 | $44,180 | $23,180 | $55,810 |
| Louisiana | $20.26 | $42,580 | $27,160 | $60,890 |
| Maine | $24.04 | $50,010 | $29,990 | $57,590 |
| Maryland | $26.68 | $55,500 | $28,960 | $76,650 |
| Massachusetts | $28.52 | $59,330 | $35,020 | $75,760 |
| Michigan | $22.07 | $47,450 | $29,380 | $69,670 |
| Minnesota | $29.47 | $61,300 | $30,800 | $64,740 |
| Mississippi | $19.96 | $41,520 | $20,980 | $53,100 |
| Missouri | $21.63 | $46,180 | $28,370 | $67,580 |
| Montana | $24.48 | $50,920 | $29,560 | $65,270 |
| Nebraska | $23.66 | $49,200 | $30,380 | $68,650 |
| Nevada | $32.21 | $67,000 | $30,640 | $72,030 |
| New Hampshire | $24.90 | $51,800 | $31,800 | $64,280 |
| New Jersey | $26.60 | $55,320 | $34,160 | $75,260 |
| New Mexico | $21.94 | $45,630 | $22,170 | $55,450 |
| New York | $28.55 | $59,380 | $28,460 | $75,200 |
| North Carolina | $21.87 | $45,490 | $27,030 | $56,590 |
| North Dakota | $24.41 | $50,760 | $32,360 | $60,100 |
| Ohio | $23.69 | $49,280 | $26,870 | $63,360 |
| Oklahoma | $21.59 | $44,900 | $25,620 | $58,150 |
| Oregon | $28.60 | $59,480 | $28,410 | $74,960 |
| P – T | ||||
| Pennsylvania | $23.02 | $47,890 | $29,170 | $64,950 |
| Rhoda Island | $28.56 | $59,410 | $40,000 | $75,020 |
| South Carolina | $21.10 | $43,880 | $23,960 | $51,660 |
| South Dakota | $21.49 | $44,700 | $26,630 | $61,760 |
| Tennessee | $21.41 | $44,540 | $24,810 | $57,490 |
| Texas | $23.97 | $49,860 | $24,420 | $58,970 |
| U – W | ||||
| Utah | $23.23 | $48,320 | $29,710 | $63,820 |
| Vermont | $22.96 | $47,750 | $31,470 | $57,330 |
| Virginia | $25.08 | $52,160 | $25,380 | $64,940 |
| Washington | $29.06 | $60,450 | $32,010 | $75,250 |
| West Virginia | $19.18 | $39,890 | $21,140 | $55,460 |
| Wisconsin | $27.36 | $56,910 | $30,620 | $67,380 |
| Wyoming | $22.32 | $47,000 | $25,080 | $56,320 |