Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay in Lancaster, PA: $31.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a surgical technologist working in Lancaster, PA runs $31.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,065 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Weighted against Lancaster's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.3, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,646 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, surgical technologists can expect a competitive hourly wage of $31.77, which is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $32.76. This wage is particularly attractive for those considering part-time positions, such as working three days a week in various settings including hospital main operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical units. With the hourly range starting from $24.67 for entry-level positions to $39.10 for highly experienced surgical technologists, this profession provides a broad spectrum of earning potential. The projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, paint a clear picture of how surgical technologist hourly pay in Lancaster compares within the broader context of PA.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.67 | $197.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.38 | $203.04 |
| Median (P50) | $31.77 | $254.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.84 | $302.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.10 | $312.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lancaster
Based on $31.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.77/hr, a surgical technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lancaster, PA can expect to earn approximately $66,077 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,121. With a cost-of-living index of 98.26 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lancaster.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lancaster
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,270.70 | $5,506 | $66,077 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $762.42 | $3,304 | $39,646 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $508.28 | $2,203 | $26,431 |
Compare Surg Tech, CST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Surgical Technologist (Lancaster) | $31.77 |
| 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 Lancaster, PA earn a median of $66,065 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.05% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 0.60% above the Pennsylvania state average of $65,671.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.77/hr = $39,646/year (purchasing power: $40,349).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,077/year (purchasing power: $67,249).
CoL index: 98.257 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.14/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.77/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+56.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Lancaster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.15/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.14/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for surgical technologists in Lancaster grew 40.8% from $21.40/hr (2019) to $30.14/hr (2025). At a 5.40% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.48/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 Lancaster 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 Lancaster
For those looking to maximize their earning potential, part-time surgical technologists working 24 hours a week can take home a comfortable income, although it won’t match the financial stability of full-time positions. Per diem surgical technologist pay in Lancaster can vary significantly depending on expertise and demand, often billing anywhere from $35 to $55 an hour, with specialized fields such as cardiovascular and neuro surgery seeing rates rise to $50 to $75 per hour. Additionally, travel contracts for surgical techs can yield weekly earnings between $1,800 and $2,800, offering a choice for those willing to work on the go. Different employers across Lancaster also feature varied compensation models; for example, hospitals may offer lower hourly wages but include benefits, while outpatient surgical centers might provide higher pay without health insurance. Therefore, it’s crucial for surgical technologists to weigh their options, negotiate effectively, and consider the trade-offs between hourly rates and benefits when determining their career paths.
More salary data for Lancaster, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for surgical technologists in Lancaster in 2026?
How much do part-time surgical technologists make in Lancaster?
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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 Lancaster. 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