Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay in Pittsburgh, PA: $31.61 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a surgical technologist working in Pittsburgh, PA runs $31.61 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,738 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Weighted against Pittsburgh's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.7, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,449 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Pittsburgh, the surgical technologist hourly pay stands at a median of $31.61, which is slightly below the national median of $32.76. This compensation opens doors for part-time and per diem surgical technologists working in settings such as main operating rooms of hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, specialty surgical centers, robotic surgery rooms, trauma OR suites, and sterile processing departments. Within the city, the hourly range for surgical technologists climbs from $20.11 at the entry-level to $39.91 for the top earners. These figures, reflecting official BLS data, illustrate both the competitive pay scale and the diverse opportunities within the healthcare system in Pittsburgh for those looking to enter or advance in this field.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.11 | $160.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.14 | $201.10 |
| Median (P50) | $31.61 | $252.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.66 | $269.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.91 | $319.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pittsburgh
Based on $31.61/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.61/hr, a surgical technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pittsburgh, PA can expect to earn approximately $65,748 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,931. With a cost-of-living index of 94.67 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pittsburgh.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pittsburgh
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,264.38 | $5,479 | $65,748 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $758.63 | $3,287 | $39,449 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $505.75 | $2,192 | $26,299 |
Compare Surg Tech, CST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Surgical Technologist (Pittsburgh) | $31.61 |
| 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 Pittsburgh, PA earn a median of $65,738 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.53% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 0.10% above the Pennsylvania state average of $65,672.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.61/hr = $39,449/year (purchasing power: $41,669).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,748/year (purchasing power: $69,449).
CoL index: 94.671 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.61/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+55.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Pittsburgh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.41/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.61/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for surgical technologists in Pittsburgh grew 40.0% from $21.42/hr (2019) to $29.99/hr (2025). At a 5.40% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.32/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 Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh
For a surgical technologist working part-time, typically three days a week—around 24 hours—this translates to an annual income significantly lower than a full-time colleague's, yet still substantial at approximately $39,000. In contrast, per diem surgical technologists in Pittsburgh can negotiate higher hourly rates, commonly billing between $35 and $55—specialties such as cardiovascular and neuro can even reach $50 to $75. Travel techs often command weekly contracts ranging from $1,800 to $2,800, a compelling option for those seeking higher earnings. The variation in hourly rates across employment types—hospitals, specialty surgical centers, military or VA units, and travel agencies—reflects different employer resources and needs. While some surgical technologists may opt for positions with higher hourly pay lacking benefits, others might prefer jobs offering health insurance and stability. Knowing the bargaining landscape in Pittsburgh can help navigate these options effectively and advocate for fair compensation.
More salary data for Pittsburgh, PA:
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 Pittsburgh. 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