Entry-Level Surgical Technologist Salary in Ithaca, NY: $61,237 (2026)
Quick Answer:New surgical technologists entering the Ithaca, NY job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $61,237 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2055, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Ithaca's local price level (BEA RPP 103.3 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $59,271 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($81,959) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Newly graduated surgical technologists entering the workforce in Ithaca, NY can expect to start their careers with an entry-level salary averaging around $61,237 in 2026. This initial figure is notably on the lower end of the pay scale for surgical technologists, which has a median salary of $81,959 for the city. The gap between these figures demonstrates a clear growth trajectory, as newly minted graduates can anticipate advancing towards the first-quarter earnings of $80,599 within a few years of experience. This upward shift indicates that Ithaca presents a favorable environment for new grads, especially considering its projected annual growth rate of 5.40% in the surgical technology field.
Career Earnings Timeline in Ithaca
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ithaca
Entry-level surgical technologists in Ithaca, NY typically start between $61,237 and $80,599 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $33,707 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $81,959 — 20.28% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average surgical services program cost in New York of $20,000 represents just 32.66% of the starting surgical technologist pay ($61,237/year) in Ithaca. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAAHEP/ARC-STSA-accredited surgical technology program data and community college tuition reports. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary by institution type (community college vs. private vocational) and program length.
Surg Tech, CST Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Ithaca
- 1Research the Ithaca market: entry-level surgical technologist pay ranges from $61,237 to $80,599, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the surgical services field — employers in NY often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Ithaca, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Ithaca for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Ithaca's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Surgical Technologist Compensation Range
The surgical technologist wage spread in Ithaca is $33,707 ( 55.04%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $61,237, experienced hygienists can earn up to $94,944.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$42,266
2025 BLS Actual
$58,100
2026 Current Est.
$61,237
2019–2027 Growth
+52.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Ithaca (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,266 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,151 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,705 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,146 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,397 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,081 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,100 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,237 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,544 | Projected |
Entry-level surgical technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Ithaca, NY grew 37.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $42,266 in 2019 to $58,100 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $64,544. New graduates entering the Ithaca job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ithaca metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.40% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your surgical services Career in Ithaca
Several facilities in Ithaca actively recruit entry-level surgical technologists. Most new graduates find opportunities within hospital operating rooms, where they engage in a general surgical specialty rotation, while ambulatory surgery centers often provide a more desirable no-call work-life balance. To enhance their starting pay in this competitive market, new graduates should focus on obtaining a diploma or an associate's degree from a CAAHEP-accredited program and acquire their CST certification from NBSTSA, as these credentials are now essential for employers in the state. Emphasizing ongoing education in advanced specialties like robotic surgery can also yield higher salaries and position new graduates for growth. As early-career surgical technologists establish themselves, strategic career moves paired with continued professional development can result in noteworthy salary increases in the first three years of their careers.
More salary data for Ithaca, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for surgical technologists in Ithaca in 2026?
How fast do surgical technologist salaries grow in Ithaca?
Is surgical services school worth it in Ithaca?
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Written by Jessica Thompson, BA, CST
Career Analyst
Jessica has over 10 years of experience as a surgical technologist. She specializes in orthopedic surgical procedures. Jessica works at a community hospital.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new surgical services graduates. A 5.40% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Ithaca. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.40%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for surgical technologists (SOC 29-2055).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Thompson, BA, CST, a licensed surgical technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov