Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay in Fort Smith, AR: $31.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a surgical technologist working in Fort Smith, AR runs $31.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,232 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Weighted against Fort Smith's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,146 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Smith, Arkansas, surgical technologists earn a median hourly pay of $31.37, which positions this occupation slightly below the national median hourly rate of $32.76. This pay level reflects the potential for surgical technologists who work part-time or per diem, commonly based in hospital main operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, specialty surgical centers, and trauma OR suites. For part-time workers putting in 24 hours a week, the flexibility can translate to a manageable work-life balance while still earning an hourly rate that ranges from $20.47 for entry-level positions to as high as $51.89 for the most experienced and specialized technologists in Fort Smith. These figures are sourced from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections, underscoring a solid income potential for surgical technologists in the city.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.47 | $163.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.18 | $217.46 |
| Median (P50) | $31.37 | $250.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.93 | $287.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.89 | $415.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Smith
Based on $31.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.37/hr, a surgical technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Smith, AR can expect to earn approximately $65,243 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,640. With a cost-of-living index of 85.89 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Smith.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Smith
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,254.68 | $5,437 | $65,243 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $752.81 | $3,262 | $39,146 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $501.87 | $2,175 | $26,097 |
Compare Surg Tech, CST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Surgical Technologist (Fort Smith) | $31.37 |
| 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 Fort Smith, AR earn a median of $65,232 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.27% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 10.20% above the Arkansas state average of $59,194.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.37/hr = $39,146/year (purchasing power: $45,578).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,243/year (purchasing power: $75,963).
CoL index: 85.888 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+85.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Fort Smith (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.78/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for surgical technologists in Fort Smith grew 67.2% from $17.80/hr (2019) to $29.76/hr (2025). At a 5.40% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.06/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 Fort Smith 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 Fort Smith
The earning landscape for surgical technologists in Fort Smith is influenced by numerous factors, including part-time vs. full-time work. A surgical technologist working three days a week will still earn a respectable salary, amounting to less annually than their full-time counterparts, but providing essential income nonetheless. Per diem surgical technologist pay in Fort Smith can reach between $35 to $55 an hour, with more specialized roles, such as cardiovascular or neurosurgical technologists, going as high as $50 to $75 per hour. Contract positions typically offer lucrative weekly pay, ranging from $1,800 to $2,800. While hospital operating rooms might offer slightly lower hourly rates than specialty centers, acceptability of trade-offs exists; some surgical technologists favor stability with health insurance and benefits, despite earning a lower hourly rate. For those looking to negotiate their hourly rate, understanding employer type and being prepared to discuss qualifications, especially in robotic surgery and specialty certifications, can be vital for securing the best pay available.
More salary data for Fort Smith, AR:
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 Fort Smith. 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, 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