Entry-Level Surgical Technologist Salary in Medford, OR: $63,166 (2026)
Quick Answer:New surgical technologists entering the Medford, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $63,166 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2055, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Medford's local price level (BEA RPP 101.4 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $62,274 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($80,863) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates entering the field of surgical technology in Medford, OR can anticipate starting salaries around $63,166 in 2026, which is the entry-level threshold as defined by the 10th percentile. This figure represents a significant gap compared to the city’s median annual salary of $80,863, indicating that new grads should set realistic expectations for their first positions. Over the first few years of their careers, starting salaries may rise to approximately $68,521 as they gain experience, moving toward the city median as they develop their skills and refine their practice. Given the projected 5.40% annual growth rate for this profession, Medford appears to present a solid employment market for new graduates seeking opportunities as surgical technologists.
Career Earnings Timeline in Medford
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 Medford
Entry-level surgical technologists in Medford, OR typically start between $63,166 and $68,521 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $38,187 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $80,863 — 18.67% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average surgical services program cost in Oregon of $14,000 represents just 22.16% of the starting surgical technologist pay ($63,166/year) in Medford. 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 Medford
- 1Research the Medford market: entry-level surgical technologist pay ranges from $63,166 to $68,521, 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 OR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Medford, 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 Medford for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Medford'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 Medford is $38,187 ( 60.45%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $63,166, experienced hygienists can earn up to $101,353.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$36,400
2025 BLS Actual
$59,930
2026 Current Est.
$63,166
2019–2027 Growth
+82.9%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Medford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,990 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,190 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,710 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,930 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,166 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,577 | Projected |
Entry-level surgical technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Medford, OR grew 64.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $36,400 in 2019 to $59,930 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $66,577. New graduates entering the Medford job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Medford 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 Medford
Employers in Medford that often hire entry-level surgical technologists include hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. Typically, hospital operating rooms offer the most positions for new graduates, providing valuable general specialty rotations. In contrast, ambulatory surgical centers may appeal to those looking for a no-call lifestyle, though they often prefer candidates with experience. New graduates can enhance their starting pay potential by ensuring they have graduated from a CAAHEP-accredited program and obtained CST certification through the NBSTSA, as these credentials have become standardized hiring requirements since 2021. Those looking to specialize should consider pursuing further education and certifications, such as robotic surgery (da Vinci) training, which can open positions in high-paying fields like cardiovascular and neurosurgery. Overall, entry-level surgical technologists can expect realistic salary growth as they build their careers over the first three years within Medford's job market.
More salary data for Medford, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for surgical technologists in Medford in 2026?
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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 Medford. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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