Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay in Lakeland, FL: $30.17 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a surgical technologist working in Lakeland, FL runs $30.17 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,755 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Weighted against Lakeland's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,647 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lakeland, Florida, surgical technologists earn a median hourly pay of $30.17, which is below the national median of $32.76. This hourly rate impacts part-time workers, who typically operate in various settings from hospital main operating rooms to specialty surgical centers. For those seeking employment on a part-time basis, working three days a week may yield a stable income while still allowing for flexibility. The hourly pay range for surgical technologists in Lakeland stretches from $22.38 for entry-level positions (P10) to $34.54 for the top earners (P90), reflecting the profession's potential for growth in a market projected to increase by 5.40% annually. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, capturing the nuances of surgical technologist hourly pay in Lakeland, FL.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.38 | $179.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.92 | $223.36 |
| Median (P50) | $30.17 | $241.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.54 | $276.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.54 | $276.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lakeland
Based on $30.17/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.17/hr, a surgical technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lakeland, FL can expect to earn approximately $62,744 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,199. With a cost-of-living index of 97.14 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lakeland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lakeland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,206.62 | $5,229 | $62,744 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $723.97 | $3,137 | $37,647 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $482.65 | $2,091 | $25,098 |
Compare Surg Tech, CST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Surgical Technologist (Lakeland) | $30.17 |
| 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 Lakeland, FL earn a median of $62,755 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.90% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 3.60% below the Florida state average of $65,099.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.17/hr = $37,647/year (purchasing power: $38,755).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,744/year (purchasing power: $64,591).
CoL index: 97.141 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.17/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+65.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Lakeland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.33/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.17/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.79/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for surgical technologists in Lakeland grew 49.2% from $19.18/hr (2019) to $28.62/hr (2025). At a 5.40% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.79/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 Lakeland 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 Lakeland
Navigating the earning potential of surgical technologists in Lakeland reveals significant variances, especially for those contemplating part-time or per-diem positions. A surgical technologist working 24 hours a week could expect to take home approximately $38,085 annually, offering a different lifestyle than full-time work. Per diem surgical technologists often find themselves billing anywhere from $35 to $55 hourly, with those specializing in cardiovascular or neurosurgery commanding even higher rates between $50 and $75. Travel positions bring in substantial earnings as well, with contracts offering $1,800 to $2,800 weekly, particularly in high-demand specialties. The type of employer also makes a difference — traditional hospital operating rooms may maintain lower hourly rates compared to specialty facilities or travel agencies. Some surgical technologists may choose jobs with lower pay for benefits like health insurance, while others prefer higher hourly rates without benefits. Negotiation skills are key in Lakeland, especially when discussing compensation based on expertise and specialty certifications recognized by the AST and NBSTSA.
More salary data for Lakeland, FL:
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 Lakeland. 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