$650 to $1,100/day | Highest per-hour CST rate
Locum Surgical Tech Pay 2026: $650 to $1,100 Per Day
Locum and per-diem surgical technologist daily rates typically run $650 to $1,100, depending on specialty credentialing and market. The IC tax structure and self-funded benefits offset some of the gross-rate premium, but the headline per-hour pay is the highest available to a CST without further credentialing.
$650 - $850/day
12-hour shift, hospital float
Generalist CST locum
$850 - $1,000/day
CVOR / robotics / trauma
Specialty CST locum
$1,000 - $1,400/day
First-assist, ASC or hospital
CSFA locum
From day rate to take-home: the IC math
A CST locum earning $850 per day, working 200 days per year, illustrates the typical IC structure:
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gross day rate x 200 days | $170,000 |
| Self-employment tax (15.3% on first $168,600 net) | -$25,800 |
| Federal income tax (22% effective on $144,200) | -$31,700 |
| Self-funded health insurance (ACA marketplace) | -$8,400 |
| Solo 401(k) contribution (illustrative) | -$23,000 |
| Approximate net after tax + benefits | ~$81,100 |
Illustrative only. Actual numbers depend on state tax, deductions, business-expense write-offs, and benefit structure. Confirm with a tax professional.
When locum beats travel CST
- You have a specialty credential. CSFA, CVOR, or robotics-credentialed CSTs unlock the higher locum rate tier.
- You live in a high-demand market. Major metros with frequent same-day fill needs (NYC, LA, SF, Boston, Houston) offer the most consistent per-diem flow.
- You can self-fund 4-8 weeks of expenses. Locum scheduling has gaps; travel offers contract-guaranteed income.
- You have spousal or partner health insurance. Removes the $8-12k annual ACA premium drag.
- You want to test markets before relocating. Short-block locum is the lowest-friction way to evaluate a city before signing a 13-week travel.
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2024, SOC 29-2055: bls.gov/oes/current/oes292055.htm
- IRS Schedule SE self-employment tax (15.3 percent on net earnings up to Social Security wage base): irs.gov
- Aya Locums, Vivian Health, Trusted Health public listings (rate range estimates as of 2026 Q2)