Entry-Level Surgical Technologist Salary in Kennewick, WA: $57,085 (2026)
Quick Answer:New surgical technologists entering the Kennewick, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $57,085 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2055, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Kennewick's local price level (BEA RPP 100.1 — 0% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $57,040 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($79,050) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates seeking roles as surgical technologists can expect an entry-level salary in Kennewick, WA, to start around $57,085. This initial pay is a notable gap when compared to the city’s median salary of $79,050, suggesting that entry-level positions may require some time before reaching the city average. However, career progression in this field appears promising; with experience, individuals can realistically anticipate moving from the initial salary to around $66,212 within the first few years of employment. Gradually, this can lead to achieving the city’s median salary in an estimated 3-5 years, making Kennewick a favorable market for recent graduates ready to take their first career steps as surgical technologists.
Career Earnings Timeline in Kennewick
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 Kennewick
Entry-level surgical technologists in Kennewick, WA typically start between $57,085 and $66,212 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $44,299 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $79,050 — 16.01% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average surgical services program cost in Washington of $14,000 represents just 24.52% of the starting surgical technologist pay ($57,085/year) in Kennewick. 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 Kennewick
- 1Research the Kennewick market: entry-level surgical technologist pay ranges from $57,085 to $66,212, 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 WA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Kennewick, 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 Kennewick for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Kennewick'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 Kennewick is $44,299 ( 77.60%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $57,085, experienced hygienists can earn up to $101,384.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$37,820
2025 BLS Actual
$54,160
2026 Current Est.
$57,085
2019–2027 Growth
+59.1%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Kennewick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,820 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,912 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,980 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,085 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,167 | Projected |
Entry-level surgical technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Kennewick, WA grew 43.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $37,820 in 2019 to $54,160 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $60,167. New graduates entering the Kennewick job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kennewick 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 Kennewick
Several healthcare facilities in Kennewick actively seek new graduates, primarily hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers, which often prefer candidates with a general specialty rotation. For those aspiring to enhance their earning potential, pursuing credentials such as the CST certification from the NBSTSA following graduation from a CAAHEP-accredited program is essential. The federal hiring standard established in 2021 requires this specific training to be competitive in the job market. Additionally, specialization in fields like cardiovascular or neurosurgery can command higher salaries, whereas certification in robotic surgery can differentiate candidates significantly. The initial years after obtaining a CST credential often yield growth in salary as experience and skills develop, positioning surgical technologists to capitalize on opportunities that arise within the healthcare sector in Kennewick and beyond.
More salary data for Kennewick, WA:
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 Kennewick. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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