Independent salary research. Not affiliated with BLS, NBSTSA, AST, or any employer. Figures based on BLS OES May 2024 (SOC 29-2055).
590 mo: travel surgical tech salary | Neutral reference

Travel Surgical Tech Salary 2026

Travel surgical technologists earn $1,700-$2,500/week on 13-week contracts. Annualised with tax-free stipends, total compensation reaches $85-120k+. Staff CSTs typically net $15-25k more per year from travel, even before specialty premiums.

$1,700 - $2,500
13-week contract
Weekly package range
$85 - $120k+
net advantage $15-25k
Annualised (incl. stipends)
$20 - $28/hr
taxable component
Typical hourly base
$1,150 - $2,250
per week (housing + meals)
Tax-free stipends

Anatomy of a Travel Pay Package

ComponentWeeklyTaxable?
Hourly base (36-40 hr)$720-$1,120Yes
Housing stipend$900-$1,800No*
Meals and incidentals$250-$450No*
Travel reimbursement$38-$77No*
Total weekly package$1,908-$3,447

*Non-taxable stipends require maintaining a valid tax home. See IRS Publication 463.

Staff vs Travel Net Take-Home Example

For a Texas-based CST earning $60,380 staff vs a travel contract in California:

  • Staff annual gross$60,380
  • Travel taxable base (annualised)$49,920
  • Travel non-taxable stipends (annual)+$62,400
  • Travel gross equivalent$112,320
  • Net advantage (travel)+$22-30k

Actual net depends on tax home status, filing status, and state tax. Consult a travel-healthcare CPA.

Top Travel Staffing Agencies (2026)

Aya Healthcare

Largest allied health travel agency. Broad surgical tech specialty coverage. Transparent pay packages.

Cross Country Allied

Strong CVOR and neuro specialty network. Competitive cardiac rates.

Fusion Medical Staffing

Good for first-time travelers. Strong compliance and onboarding support.

Vivian Health

Aggregator platform: compare offers from multiple agencies. Good for rate benchmarking.

CompHealth (CHG)

Strong in specialty ortho and transplant markets. Premium rates for niche assignments.

Trusted Health

Nurse-first agency with growing allied division. Transparent pay model.

Med Travelers (AMN)

AMN subsidiary. Large facility network. Consistent assignment availability.

Best Travel Markets Right Now

  • California (SF Bay, LA, Sacramento)
    Consistently highest rates; $2,100-2,500/wk
  • New York (NYC, Long Island)
    High volume; $2,000-2,400/wk
  • Texas (Houston, Austin, DFW)
    Large market; $1,700-2,100/wk
  • Washington (Seattle, Tacoma)
    Strong rates; $1,900-2,300/wk
  • Arizona (Phoenix metro)
    Growing market; $1,700-2,000/wk

Specialty Travel Premiums

  • CVOR (open heart)+$200-400/wk
  • Neurosurgery+$150-300/wk
  • Orthopedic (Mako)+$150-250/wk
  • Transplant+$200-350/wk
  • Trauma Level I+$100-200/wk

The Tax-Home Rule (IRS Publication 463)

To legally receive non-taxable housing and meal stipends, you must maintain a valid "tax home" (your primary place of business or residence) at a location separate from your travel assignments. This generally means paying rent or a mortgage at a home address and returning there periodically between contracts. If you give up your permanent residence, the IRS may treat your stipends as taxable income.

The tax-home rule is complex and frequently misunderstood. Consulting a CPA who specialises in travel healthcare is strongly recommended before your first contract. The tax benefit is real but contingent on proper documentation.

FAQ

How much do travel surgical techs make?
Travel surgical technologists typically earn $1,700-$2,500 per week on 13-week contracts, which annualises to $85-130k with tax-free stipends included. The package typically consists of a taxable hourly base ($20-28/hr) plus non-taxable housing stipends ($900-1,800/week) and meals/incidentals allowance ($250-450/week). California, New York, Washington, and Massachusetts are consistently the highest-paying assignment markets.
How much experience do you need to travel as a surgical tech?
Most travel staffing agencies require a minimum of 1-2 years of recent, verifiable surgical technology experience in a clinical OR setting. The CST credential is required by nearly all agencies. Some agencies and facilities specifically request specialty experience (CVOR, neuro, ortho) for premium-rate assignments. The first travel contract is typically for a general OR role; specialty travel positions are usually accessible after 2-3 years of both staff and travel experience.
Do travel surgical techs need licenses in every state?
Most states do not specifically license surgical technologists, so the CST credential (nationally portable) is sufficient for most assignments. However, several states have enacted surgical tech registration requirements: Texas, Washington, New York, South Carolina, Illinois, Nevada, Indiana, Tennessee, and Nebraska. For assignments in these states, you may need to register with the state board before starting. Your travel agency should be able to help coordinate this; registration fees and processing times vary by state.
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