How much do cardiovascular surgical techs make?

Cardiovascular (CVOR) surgical techs typically earn 15-25% above the staff CST average, reaching $72-85k in most major markets, with experienced CVOR techs at academic medical centers earning up to $95k. Open-heart and ECMO cases command the highest rates. Adding a CSFA credential in a cardiac setting can push earnings to $85-105k or higher as an independent contractor.

How much do surgical first assistants (CSFAs) make?

Certified Surgical First Assistants (CSFAs) typically earn $80-105k as hospital staff. Independent contractor arrangements at busy orthopedic and plastic surgery ambulatory surgical centers can reach $110-140k or more. The CSFA credential costs $8-18k to obtain and typically pays back within 12 months at the $20-30k annual premium over staff CST pay.

Do surgical technologists make more than nurses?

Registered nurses earn more on average. The RN median is $93,600 vs the CST median of $60,610 (BLS May 2024). However, CSTs outearn licensed practical nurses (LPN median $54,620). CSFAs and experienced cardiac or orthopedic specialty techs can close much of the RN gap, earning $80-105k. The RN long-term ceiling through NP ($120k+) or CRNA ($200k+) paths remains higher.

BLS OES May 2024 / SOC 29-2055Updated 17 Apr 2026

Surgical technologists earn $63,060/yr average

Q: How much do surgical technologists make a year?

The national mean annual wage for surgical technologists is $63,060 per year, with a median of $60,610 per year ($29.14/hour median), according to BLS OES May 2024, SOC 29-2055. Pay ranges from $38,740 at the 10th percentile to $89,740 at the 90th percentile. Specialty, state, setting, experience, and certifications all affect individual pay.

Q: What state pays surgical technologists the most?

Alaska has the highest mean annual wage for surgical technologists at $82,640, followed by the District of Columbia ($79,800), California ($78,340), Nevada ($74,690), and Minnesota ($73,820). On a cost-of-living-adjusted basis, Nevada, Minnesota, and Washington offer stronger purchasing power than Alaska or California.

Q: Is surgical technology a good career?

Yes. The BLS projects 6% employment growth for surgical technologists from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average across all occupations, generating about 10,900 new openings per year. An aging population and the shift of surgeries to ambulatory surgical centers both drive demand. Training programs are 12-24 months and entry pay is competitive with other allied health roles.

The OR briefing on surgical tech pay. Specialty premiums (CVOR, neuro, ortho), CSFA first-assistant ladder, all 50 states, settings, certifications and travel rates. Built on the BLS May 2024 OES release, kept on the surgical-tech reading level.

$63,060

Mean annual

$60,610

Median annual

$30.32/hr

Mean hourly

+6%

Job growth 2024-2034

$38,740

10th percentile

$89,740

90th percentile

~10,900

Annual openings

~71,500

Total US employed

Pre-shift / Pay Estimator

Surgical tech salary estimator

Pull your estimated annual on a state base, experience curve, certification stack, and work setting. The figure is bracketed against your state mean and the national mean.

Tray ID: PAY-EST-01Data: BLS OES May 2024

State

Years of Experience: 5

025+

Certification

Work Setting

$56,153

Estimated / Annual

$27.00

Estimated / Hourly

$4,227

vs TX avg / $60,380

$6,907

vs national / $63,060

Estimates are based on BLS OES May 2024 and industry survey data. Individual salaries vary based on employer, shift differentials, overtime, specialty training, and local market conditions.

Briefing / National Pay

Surgical technologist pay at a glance

BLS OES May 2024, SOC 29-2055. Read across the percentile, the work setting, and the geographic dimension. The same surgical tech can earn $50k or $90k depending on which combination they sit in.

Salary / Percentile

10th percentile
$38,740$18.62/hr
25th percentile
$47,960$23.06/hr
Median (50th)
$60,610$29.14/hr
Mean
$63,060$30.32/hr
75th percentile
$72,180$34.70/hr
90th percentile
$89,740$43.14/hr

Setting / Work venue

Federal government
$71,820Highest
General hospitals
$62,140
Ambulatory surgical centers
$60,280
Outpatient care centers
$58,570
Offices of physicians
$55,340Lowest

ASCs offer predictable hours but typically no night/weekend differentials.

Geography / Top states

Alaska$82,640
Washington DC$79,800
California$78,340
Nevada$74,690
Minnesota$73,820

View all 50 states

Specialty Premium / Service Line

Where the specialty premium lives

Premium above staff CST median ($60,610). Bars in surgical steel; staff range only.

Full specialty breakdown ›

Cardiovascular (CVOR / open heart)

$72,000 - $95,000+15-25%

Neurosurgery (spine + cranial)

$70,000 - $82,000+10-18%

Orthopedic (joint replacement + robotics)

$66,000 - $78,000+10-15%

Trauma Level I (call premium)

$66,000 - $78,000+10-15%

Cath lab (RCIS-adjacent)

$65,000 - $80,000+7-14%

Robotic surgery (da Vinci)

$64,000 - $72,000+5-12%

Plastic / reconstructive

$60,000 - $72,0000-8%

Ophthalmic (ASC-dominant)

$58,000 - $68,000-2-6%

Pay-gap callout / CSFA

CSFAs earn $80-105k median. Top IC arrangements: $110-140k+

Certified Surgical First Assistants (CSFAs) close the RN pay gap. Program costs $8-18k and typically pays back within 12 months at the $20-30k annual premium. Independent contractor CSFAs at busy orthopedic and plastic surgery ASCs reach the top of the range.

CSFA Pay Guide ›

Reference / Deep Dives

The full surgical-tech pay reference

01.BLS OEWS

BLS May 2024 Data

The canonical BLS surgical technologist median salary 2024 reference. Percentile table, industry breakdown, year-over-year trend.

02.50 states

Salary by State

All 50 states ranked by mean annual pay. BLS data with cost-of-living adjustments and top metro areas.

03.10+ specialties

Salary by Specialty

CVOR, neuro, ortho, trauma, cath lab, robotics. The single most underserved data set in this niche.

04.CSFA vs TS-C vs CFA

CSFA / First Assistant

Credential comparison: CSFA vs TS-C vs CFA. Pay ladder, state scope rules, IC billing math.

05.CST + TS-C

Certifications (CST, TS-C)

How much the CST adds. When to sit the TS-C. NBSTSA exam costs and renewal requirements.

06.Year-by-year

Salary by Experience

Year-by-year pay curve from new grad through surgical services director. Negotiation benchmarks.

07.RN + LPN comparison

Surgical Tech vs RN

Side-by-side on pay, training cost, scope, and 10-year NPV. LPN comparison included.

08.$85-120k/yr

Travel Surgical Tech Pay

$1,700-$2,500/week on 13-week contracts. Stipend math, top agencies, specialty travel premiums.

09.CAAHEP vs ABHES

Programs and Schooling

CAAHEP vs ABHES. Certificate vs associate vs bachelor. Total cost breakdown and CST eligibility.

10.6% growth

Job Outlook 2024-2034

6% growth, ~10,900 openings per year. Automation risk, ASC growth, and regional demand.

Pre-shift questions

Frequently asked questions

How much do surgical technologists make a year?

The national mean annual wage is $63,060 per year, with a median of $60,610 (BLS OES May 2024, SOC 29-2055). Hourly: mean $30.32, median $29.14. The full range runs from $38,740 (10th percentile) to $89,740 (90th percentile). Specialty, state, employer size, certifications, and shift schedule all affect individual pay significantly.

What state pays surgical technologists the most?

Alaska leads with a mean of $82,640, followed by Washington DC ($79,800), California ($78,340), Nevada ($74,690), and Minnesota ($73,820). For metro areas, the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward metro tops the list at $91,150, followed by San Jose ($90,870). Cost-of-living matters: Nevada and Minnesota offer stronger purchasing power than California or Alaska on an adjusted basis.

Is surgical technology a good career in 2026?

Yes for most profiles. The BLS projects 6% growth from 2024 to 2034, generating about 10,900 openings annually. An aging population and the ongoing shift of procedures from inpatient to ambulatory surgical centers drives demand. Training is 12-24 months, entry pay is competitive with similar-length programs, and there is a genuine ceiling in specialty and first-assistant roles. The main limitation versus nursing is a shallower long-term career ladder.

How much more do cardiovascular surgical techs make?

CVOR techs typically earn 15-25% above the staff CST average, reaching $72-85k in most major markets. At top-tier academic medical centers handling complex open-heart and ECMO cases, pay can reach $95k. Adding a CSFA credential and moving into a first-assistant role in a cardiac setting can push compensation to $85-105k or above as an independent contractor.

Do surgical technologists make more than LPNs?

Yes, typically. The CST median ($60,610) exceeds the LPN median ($54,620) nationally. The gap is larger in states with strong surgical-tech demand or union contracts. However, the RN median ($93,600) is well ahead. For career switchers from LPN, the main question is whether the salary gain is worth the additional 6-12 months of retraining.

What certifications increase surgical technologist pay?

The CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) from NBSTSA typically adds $5-8k per year and is now required by most US employers at hire. The TS-C (Tech in Surgery - Certified), NBSTSA's advanced credential for first assistants, adds another $3-5k on top. For the biggest pay jump, the CSFA (Certified Surgical First Assistant) represents a $20-30k annual premium over staff CST, with program costs of $8-18k typically recovered in under 12 months.

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