Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay in Gurnee, IL: $31.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a surgical technologist working in Gurnee, IL runs $31.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,570 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Weighted against Gurnee's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,738 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gurnee, Illinois, surgical technologists can expect a median hourly pay of $31.04, which falls slightly below the national median of $32.76. This rate reflects the financial landscape for surgical technologists across various environments, including hospital main operating rooms, ambulatory surgery center suites, specialty surgical centers, robotic surgery rooms, trauma operating rooms, and sterile processing departments. Entry-level professionals may find themselves earning approximately $22.40 per hour, while those with advanced skills or specialties, such as cardiovascular or neuro surgery, can command rates up to $43.91 per hour. These estimates are based on annual salary data projected to 2026, indicating a well-defined range that outlines the earning potential for both full-time and part-time surgical technologists in this region.
About the Gurnee Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.40 | $179.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.17 | $209.37 |
| Median (P50) | $31.04 | $248.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.09 | $296.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.91 | $351.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gurnee
Based on $31.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.04/hr, a surgical technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gurnee, IL can expect to earn approximately $64,564 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,248. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gurnee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gurnee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,241.61 | $5,380 | $64,564 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $744.97 | $3,228 | $38,738 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $496.64 | $2,152 | $25,826 |
Compare Surg Tech, CST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Surgical Technologist (Gurnee) | $31.04 |
| 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 Gurnee, IL earn a median of $64,570 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.24% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 1.50% below the Illinois state average of $65,553.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.04/hr = $38,738/year (purchasing power: $39,895).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,564/year (purchasing power: $66,492).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Gurnee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.64/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for surgical technologists in Gurnee grew 33.9% from $22.00/hr (2019) to $29.45/hr (2025). At a 5.40% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.72/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 Gurnee 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 Gurnee
For those considering part-time work as surgical technologists in Gurnee, working three days a week translates to a more modest annual earnings potential when compared to their full-time counterparts. When calculating a 24-hour workweek, these professionals could expect to earn under $50,000 annually, a stark contrast to the higher earnings available to full-time surgical techs. Per diem surgical technologist pay in Gurnee often bills between $35 and $55 per hour, with specialized fields like cardiovascular and neurosurgery pushing rates up to $50-$75 per hour. Travel contracts can offer substantial benefits, with weekly pay ranging from $1,800 to $2,800, particularly in high-demand specialties. Employers such as hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty units provide diverse pay structures, often influenced by benefits packages. Surgical technologists must weigh the trade-offs of accepting lower hourly wages with health benefits versus pursuing higher rates without such coverage, which may necessitate savvy negotiation tactics to maximize their surgical technologist hourly pay in Gurnee, IL.
More salary data for Gurnee, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for surgical technologists in Gurnee in 2026?
How much do part-time surgical technologists make in Gurnee?
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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 Gurnee. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Gurnee is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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