Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay in Fairbanks, AK: $38.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a surgical technologist working in Fairbanks, AK runs $38.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,725 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Weighted against Fairbanks's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $37.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,841 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fairbanks, Alaska, surgical technologists earn a median hourly rate of $38.33, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $32.76. This favorable compensation opens up various opportunities for part-time and per-diem workers, especially in environments like hospital operating rooms and specialty surgical centers. Entry-level surgical technologists can start around $27.44 per hour, while the most experienced professionals can earn up to $46.78 per hour. Such earnings highlight the value of surgical technologists in Fairbanks, where their skills are in demand across various settings, including robotic surgery and trauma care. The data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS figures and projected to 2026, reflects the growing importance of this role in the healthcare sector.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.44 | $219.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.44 | $219.48 |
| Median (P50) | $38.33 | $306.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.95 | $327.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.78 | $374.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fairbanks
Based on $38.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.33/hr, a surgical technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fairbanks, AK can expect to earn approximately $79,735 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,001. With a cost-of-living index of 103.21 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Fairbanks.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fairbanks
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,533.36 | $6,645 | $79,735 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $920.02 | $3,987 | $47,841 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $613.34 | $2,658 | $31,894 |
Compare Surg Tech, CST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Surgical Technologist (Fairbanks) | $38.33 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.36 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
| Radiologic Technologist (National Avg) | $36.78 |
Surgical Technologists in Fairbanks, AK earn a median of $79,725 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.00% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 10.30% above the Alaska state average of $72,280.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.33/hr = $47,841/year (purchasing power: $46,354).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,735/year (purchasing power: $77,256).
CoL index: 103.208 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.89/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.37/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Fairbanks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.89/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.30/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.37/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for surgical technologists in Fairbanks grew 17.7% from $30.89/hr (2019) to $36.37/hr (2025). At a 5.40% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.40/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem surgical technologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fairbanks 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.
Working as an Hourly Surgical Technologist in Fairbanks
For part-time surgical technologists working three days a week, averaging around 24 hours, the annual earnings can amount to approximately $47,753 compared to their full-time counterparts. Per diem surgical technologists in Fairbanks typically bill between $35 and $55 per hour, with specialty areas like cardiovascular and neurosurgery potentially commanding pay rates as high as $50 to $75 per hour. Travel surgical tech contracts can offer even more lucrative opportunities, ranging from $1,800 to $2,800 weekly. Hourly pay can also vary depending on the employer type, with surgical technologists in hospitals often receiving different pay rates than those in ambulatory surgery centers or military settings. The decision to prioritize higher hourly wages without benefits versus the stability of a salaried position with health insurance is an ongoing consideration for many in the field. Those seeking employment in Fairbanks should focus on honing their negotiating skills to maximize their compensation based on their skills and certifications, including CST credentialing, which enhances their marketability in this competitive field.
More salary data for Fairbanks, AK:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.40% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for surgical technologists in Fairbanks. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-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