Entry-Level Surgical Technologist Salary in Williamsport, PA: $47,501 (2026)
Quick Answer:New surgical technologists entering the Williamsport, PA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $47,501 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2055, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Williamsport's local price level (BEA RPP 97.4 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $48,769 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($65,057) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Prospective surgical technologists in Williamsport, Pennsylvania can expect a starting salary around $47,501 in 2026. While this entry-level figure is significantly below the city median annual salary of $65,057, it represents a solid foundation for new graduates entering the field. Over the first few years, as surgical technologists gain experience and expertise, there is a potential growth trajectory that can lead them to earnings in the vicinity of $55,266 by the 25th percentile. This gradual increase underscores that Williamsport offers a feasible market for recent graduates who are equipped with the necessary education and certifications. Given the annual growth rate of 5.40% projected for this profession, individuals starting their careers now can anticipate better pay as they progress.
About the Williamsport Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Williamsport
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 Williamsport
Entry-level surgical technologists in Williamsport, PA typically start between $47,501 and $55,266 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $45,179 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $65,057 — 4.53% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average surgical services program cost in Pennsylvania of $16,000 represents just 33.68% of the starting surgical technologist pay ($47,501/year) in Williamsport. 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 Williamsport
- 1Research the Williamsport market: entry-level surgical technologist pay ranges from $47,501 to $55,266, 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 PA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Williamsport, 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 Williamsport for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Williamsport'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 Williamsport is $45,179 ( 95.11%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $47,501, experienced hygienists can earn up to $92,680.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$32,785
2025 BLS Actual
$45,067
2026 Current Est.
$47,501
2019–2027 Growth
+52.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Williamsport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,785 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,472 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,150 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,590 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,067 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,501 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,066 | Projected |
Entry-level surgical technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Williamsport, PA grew 37.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $32,785 in 2019 to $45,067 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $50,066. New graduates entering the Williamsport job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Williamsport 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 Williamsport
Opportunities for employment in Williamsport for new grad surgical technologists typically lie within hospital operating rooms, which lean towards hiring new graduates with general specialty rotations. For those who prefer a balanced lifestyle, ambulatory surgery centers usually provide a no-call environment, making them an attractive option. However, specialty surgical centers focused on areas like orthopedics or ophthalmology tend to seek candidates with more experience. To enhance starting pay in Pennsylvania, obtaining credentials such as a diploma or associate's degree from a CAAHEP-accredited program is critical following federal hiring standards implemented in 2021. Additionally, acquiring the CST certification from the NBSTSA can further bolster one's career prospects. New professionals should consider pursuing specialties such as cardiovascular or neurosurgery for higher compensation and may find robotic surgery certification a beneficial differentiator in the competitive market of surgical technology.
More salary data for Williamsport, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Williamsport. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Williamsport is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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