Surgical Technologist Salary in Decatur, AL: $48,547 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Decatur, AL earns a median $48,547/year (≈ $23.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Decatur's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.2), that paycheck buys what $55,666 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.3% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Surgical technologists in Decatur, Alabama, can expect a median annual salary of $48,547 in 2026, markedly lower than the national median of $68,141. The salary range spans from $38,977 at the 10th percentile to $64,031 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the variation in compensation depending on experience, skills, and workplace settings. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. With Decatur's healthcare landscape including hospital operating rooms and specialty surgical centers, factors such as institutional type play a significant role in determining pay rates. Understanding where the highest-paying opportunities lie will be essential for current and aspiring surgical technologists in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,977 | $18.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,841 | $19.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,547 | $23.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,606 | $25.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,031 | $30.79 |
Median Salary Position
28.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Decatur
In Decatur, AL, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,054 (2026 est.). At $48,547, the local median is 28.76% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Decatur: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Decatur Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Decatur median: $48,547/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Decatur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $51,811 | -6.30% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -28.76% less |
Surgical Technologists in Decatur, AL earn a median of $48,547 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.76% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 6.30% below the Alabama state average of $51,811.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Decatur has a cost of living 12.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Decatur, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.212 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $48,547 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,666 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,411
2025 BLS Actual
$46,060
2026 Current Est.
$48,547
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,411 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,416 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,575 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,869 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,790 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,460 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,060 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,547 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,169 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Decatur metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $34,411 (2019) to $46,060 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,169 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,758 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Decatur 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $38,977 – $39,841 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,841 – $48,547 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,547 – $53,606 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,606 – $64,031 |
Surg Tech, CST salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual surgical technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Surgical Technologist Job Market in Decatur
The local job market in Decatur currently employs around 50 surgical technologists, which contributes to a stable employment outlook in this healthcare-focused city. With a cost of living index of 87.212, surgical technologists in Decatur benefit from increased purchasing power compared to the national average. Employers within hospital operating rooms tend to offer more competitive wages compared to ambulatory surgery centers and specialty surgical centers, particularly for roles involving cardiothoracic and neuro specialties. Factors such as specialty training, robotic surgery certification, and on-call responsibilities can create significant disparities in earnings, reflecting the demand for advanced skills. For those navigating the job market, pursuing certifications that emphasize robotics or specializing in high-demand fields could be favorable strategies to maximize their pay in Decatur, AL.
More salary data for Decatur, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can surgical technologists make $100K in Decatur?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $46,060 for surgical technologistsin the Decatur metropolitan area. A 5.40% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 3-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