Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay in Baton Rouge, LA: $30.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a surgical technologist working in Baton Rouge, LA runs $30.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,482 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Weighted against Baton Rouge's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.8, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,094 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Baton Rouge, surgical technologists enjoy a median hourly pay of $30.52, which falls below the national hourly median of $32.76. This rate reflects the wages for those employed in various medical settings, including hospital main operating rooms, specialty surgical centers, and trauma units. For part-time workers, say those clocking in three days a week, this translates to a steady income, yet may not reach the full earning potential of full-time positions. Within the region, a surgical technologist can expect an hourly range that starts at $15.59 for entry-level roles and can go as high as $38.80 for the top earners, according to official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. The relatively competitive pay in Baton Rouge, combined with a lower cost of living index at 90.78, allows for a reasonable standard of living for those in the field.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.59 | $124.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.21 | $185.67 |
| Median (P50) | $30.52 | $244.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.84 | $254.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.80 | $310.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Baton Rouge
Based on $30.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.52/hr, a surgical technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Baton Rouge, LA can expect to earn approximately $63,490 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,629. With a cost-of-living index of 90.78 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Baton Rouge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Baton Rouge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,220.95 | $5,291 | $63,490 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $732.57 | $3,174 | $38,094 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $488.38 | $2,116 | $25,396 |
Compare Surg Tech, CST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Surgical Technologist (Baton Rouge) | $30.52 |
| 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 Baton Rouge, LA earn a median of $63,482 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.84% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 4.30% above the Louisiana state average of $60,865.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.52/hr = $38,094/year (purchasing power: $41,963).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,490/year (purchasing power: $69,938).
CoL index: 90.78 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+59.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Baton Rouge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.46/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.66/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.17/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for surgical technologists in Baton Rouge grew 43.6% from $20.17/hr (2019) to $28.96/hr (2025). At a 5.40% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.17/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 Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge
A surgical technologist working part-time, for instance, could earn around $37,650 annually by working 24 hours a week, a figure that may be lower than their full-time counterparts who average much more significantly in income. In addition to traditional roles, many choose per diem positions, where the pay rate often ranges from $35 to $55 an hour. For specialized roles, such as cardiovascular or neurosurgery, this can even go up to $75/hour, reflecting the demand for experienced professionals. Employers vary widely, with hospitals typically offering comprehensive benefits that may justify slightly lower hourly rates compared to specialty centers or travel contracts, which provide higher hourly pay but fewer benefits. For those seeking to negotiate their salary, it’s key to consider these variations and highlight relevant certifications such as CST and robotic surgery training, which may impact the final offer in the competitive Baton Rouge job market.
More salary data for Baton Rouge, LA:
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 Baton Rouge. 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