Entry-Level Surgical Technologist Salary in Sherman, TX: $30,914 (2026)
Quick Answer:New surgical technologists entering the Sherman, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $30,914 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2055, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Sherman's local price level (BEA RPP 93.8 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $32,968 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($65,875) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sherman, Texas, the entry-level surgical technologist salary is projected to start at approximately $30,914 in 2026. This starting pay presents a considerable gap compared to the median annual wage of $65,875 for surgical technologists in the city. New graduates can expect a steady growth in earnings over the first few years, as those who progress from an entry-level position to the 25th percentile may see their salaries rise to around $52,795. The current market conditions in Sherman appear favorable for fresh graduates, with a good number of hospitals and surgery centers looking to hire newly minted surgical technologists to meet the needs of their operating rooms and surgical suites.
Career Earnings Timeline in Sherman
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 Sherman
Entry-level surgical technologists in Sherman, TX typically start between $30,914 and $52,795 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $48,600 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $65,875 — 3.33% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average surgical services program cost in Texas of $10,000 represents just 32.35% of the starting surgical technologist pay ($30,914/year) in Sherman. 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 Sherman
- 1Research the Sherman market: entry-level surgical technologist pay ranges from $30,914 to $52,795, 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 TX often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Sherman, 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 Sherman for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Sherman's below-average 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 Sherman is $48,600 ( 157.21%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $30,914, experienced hygienists can earn up to $79,514.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$36,200
2025 BLS Actual
$29,330
2026 Current Est.
$30,914
2019–2027 Growth
+-10.0%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Sherman (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,200 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,890 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $27,910 | Actual |
| 2025 | $29,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30,914 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32,583 | Projected |
Entry-level surgical technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Sherman, TX grew -19.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $36,200 in 2019 to $29,330 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $32,583. New graduates entering the Sherman job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sherman 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 Sherman
Job opportunities for entry-level surgical technologists in Sherman primarily exist within hospital operating rooms, where most employers offer a general specialty rotation. Ambulatory surgery centers are also a viable option, often providing a no-call lifestyle that some new graduates may prefer. To boost their starting salary, aspiring surgical technologists should focus on obtaining credentials from a CAAHEP-accredited program and passing the CST certification through the NBSTSA, as these have become the federal hiring standards since 2021. Specializing in fields like cardiovascular or neurosurgery can lead to higher compensation, and obtaining a robotic surgery certification can further differentiate a candidate in the job market. In the initial years, new grads can realistically anticipate salary growth as they gain valuable experience and solidify their positions within the healthcare system in Sherman, TX.
More salary data for Sherman, TX:
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 Sherman. 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