Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay in McAllen, TX: $31.34 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a surgical technologist working in McAllen, TX runs $31.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,169 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Weighted against McAllen's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,107 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Surgical technologists in McAllen, Texas, are currently projected to earn a median hourly rate of $31.34, which is slightly lower than the national average of $32.76. This hourly wage represents competitive pay in the local healthcare landscape, especially for those working part-time in various surgical settings such as hospital operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical facilities. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this hourly rate translates into potential financial stability. With minimal entry-level positions starting at $19.05 and experienced surgical techs earning upwards of $38.04, the earnings spectrum allows for career progression and financial growth within the field. This data is grounded in the official estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.05 | $152.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.39 | $203.13 |
| Median (P50) | $31.34 | $250.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.00 | $288.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.04 | $304.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in McAllen
Based on $31.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.34/hr, a surgical technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in McAllen, TX can expect to earn approximately $65,178 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,603. With a cost-of-living index of 85.89 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in McAllen.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in McAllen
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,253.42 | $5,431 | $65,178 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $752.05 | $3,259 | $39,107 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $501.37 | $2,173 | $26,071 |
Compare Surg Tech, CST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Surgical Technologist (McAllen) | $31.34 |
| 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 McAllen, TX earn a median of $65,169 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.36% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 1.50% below the Texas state average of $66,161.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.34/hr = $39,107/year (purchasing power: $45,528).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,178/year (purchasing power: $75,881).
CoL index: 85.895 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.34/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+39.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in McAllen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.08/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for surgical technologists in McAllen grew 25.1% from $23.76/hr (2019) to $29.73/hr (2025). At a 5.40% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.03/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 McAllen 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 McAllen
As part-time surgical technologists in McAllen consider their income potential, a 24-hour workweek can yield a significant annual take-home compared to full-time positions. For instance, part-time workers may see earnings of approximately $39,073, whereas full-time equivalents could earn around $65,169. Moreover, per-diem surgical technologists in the region often command between $35 to $55 per hour, and highly specialized fields like cardiovascular or neuro surgeries can reach $50 to $75 per hour. Travel contracts for surgical technologists often provide lucrative opportunities, typically ranging from $1,800 to $2,800 per week. The nature of employment—whether in hospitals, specialty surgical centers, or per-diem roles—significantly influences pay rates in McAllen, with trade-offs regarding benefits and stability. Surgical techs should weigh these factors thoughtfully when negotiating pay, especially considering the value of health benefits that full-time positions often provide versus potentially higher hourly pay without such perks.
More salary data for McAllen, TX:
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 McAllen. 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