Surgical Technologist Salary in Phoenix, AZ: $82,265 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Phoenix, AZ earns a median $82,265/year (≈ $39.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Phoenix's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.3), that paycheck buys what $79,625 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 22.6% above the Arizona state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Phoenix, AZ, the landscape for surgical technologist salaries shows promising figures, exemplified by a median annual salary of $82,265 for 2026, a notable increase compared to the national median of $68,141. This substantial pay differential can be attributed to the increasing demand for specialized skills, particularly in robotic surgery. As healthcare facilities in the region emphasize advanced technologies, surgical technologists with certifications in robotic surgical systems can expect enhanced earning potential, with a salary range from $54,861 at the lower end to $102,280 for the top earners. These insights are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting the growing opportunities within Phoenix's healthcare sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,861 | $26.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,424 | $32.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,265 | $39.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,464 | $43.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,280 | $49.17 |
Median Salary Position
20.73% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Phoenix
In Phoenix, AZ, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,419 (2026 est.). At $82,265, the local median is 20.73% above the national median of $68,141.
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How Phoenix Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Phoenix median: $82,265/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Phoenix Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $67,100 | +22.60% more |
| National Average | $68,141 | +20.73% more |
Surgical Technologists in Phoenix, AZ earn a median of $82,265 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.73% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 22.60% above the Arizona state average of $67,100.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Phoenix has a cost of living 3.32% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Phoenix, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 103.316 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $82,265 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $79,625 — a 3.21% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,590
2025 BLS Actual
$78,050
2026 Current Est.
$82,265
2019–2027 Growth
+61.8%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Phoenix (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,590 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,320 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,850 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,050 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,265 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,707 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Phoenix metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 45.6% from $53,590 (2019) to $78,050 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,707 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,117 (61.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Phoenix 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) | $54,861 – $67,424 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,424 – $82,265 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,265 – $89,464 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,464 – $102,280 |
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 Phoenix
The local job market for surgical technologists appears strong, with approximately 1,790 professionals employed across various healthcare settings in Phoenix. Although Phoenix has a cost-of-living index of 103.316, which is slightly above the national average, the overall compensation often offsets this increase, providing an advantageous purchasing power for many in the field. Employers in hospital operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical facilities tend to offer higher wages, particularly for roles that require advanced skills or certifications. The disparity in earnings can be influenced by factors such as specialty experience—where cardiovascular and neurosurgery technologists command higher salaries—along with additional benefits for call coverage, certifications in robotic surgery, or roles as surgical first assistants. To maximize pay in Phoenix, surgical technologists should focus on advancing their education, seeking specialized training, and exploring opportunities with travel surgical tech agencies, which often provide competitive compensation rates.
More salary data for Phoenix, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can surgical technologists make $100K in Phoenix?
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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 $78,050 for surgical technologistsin the Phoenix 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, 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