Surgical Technologist Salary in Arkansas: $62,745 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arkansas's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median surgical technologist pay sits at $62,745/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2055. Because Arkansas sits at BEA RPP 86.9 (13% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $72,204 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Rogers ($62,079), Springdale ($62,035), Fort Smith ($61,890).
In Arkansas, surgical technologists earn an average median salary of $62,745, which is approximately 7.9% lower than the national median of $68,141. The highest paying city is Rogers, where the average salary reaches $65,431, while Jonesboro offers the lowest average at $52,268. This $13,163 salary difference can be attributed to various factors including local cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of healthcare employers in specific regions. The job market for surgical technologists in Arkansas is projected to grow at an annual rate of 5.40%, indicating a solid demand for these professionals. State licensing requirements for surgical technologists are important; Arkansas mandates certification and adheres to certain scope of practice laws which can influence job opportunities and salary structures across different regions. Major cities in Arkansas, like Springdale ($65,385), Fort Smith ($65,232), Fayetteville ($64,378), and Little Rock ($64,199), also reflect competitive salaries, suggesting a healthy demand across metropolitan areas. With a total of 1,377 surgical technologists employed in the state, the outlook remains positive, particularly as healthcare needs continue to expand.
Arkansas Surgical Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arkansas: $33,222 (lowest entry-level) to $107,930 (highest top earner)
Arkansas vs National Average
Arkansas surgical technologists earn 7.92% less than the national median ($-5,396/year difference).
Arkansas Surgical Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Surgical Technologist salaries in Arkansas range from $41,504 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $83,356 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $62,745. The Arkansas median is $5,396 below the US national median of $68,141. The average hourly rate is $30.16/hr. Approximately 1,377 surgical technologists are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$40,788
2025 BLS Actual
$59,530
2026 Current Est.
$62,745
2019–2027 Growth
+62.1%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Arkansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,788 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,645 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,639 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,735 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,693 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,594 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,530 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,745 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,133 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arkansas metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 46.0% from $40,788 (2019) to $59,530 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,133 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,345 (62.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arkansas 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Arkansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Arkansas
Best Value Cities for Surgical Technologists in Arkansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arkansas cities offer the most purchasing power for surgical technologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Smith | $65,232 | 85.888 | $75,950 |
| Rogers | $65,431 | 86.9 | $75,295 |
| Springdale | $65,385 | 86.9 | $75,242 |
| North Little Rock | $63,252 | 86.9 | $72,787 |
| Conway | $62,835 | 86.9 | $72,307 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arkansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $41,504 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $62,745 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $83,356 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arkansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Arkansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rogers | $65,431 |
| 2 | Springdale | $65,385 |
| 3 | Fort Smith | $65,232 |
| 4 | Fayetteville | $64,378 |
| 5 | Little Rock | $64,199 |
| 6 | North Little Rock | $63,252 |
| 7 | Conway | $62,835 |
| 8 | Jacksonville | $58,787 |
| 9 | Bentonville | $58,498 |
| 10 | Benton | $58,010 |
| 11 | Hot Springs | $57,955 |
| 12 | Paragould | $57,845 |
| 13 | Pine Bluff | $57,799 |
| 14 | Sherwood | $57,533 |
| 15 | Russellville | $57,229 |
| 16 | Cabot | $56,972 |
| 17 | Texarkana | $56,958 |
| 18 | Searcy | $56,376 |
| 19 | Bryant | $55,954 |
| 20 | Van Buren | $54,965 |
| 21 | Jonesboro | $52,268 |
More Arkansas Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore surgical technologist hourly pay in Arkansas cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced surgical technologists.
Explore More Surgical Technologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Arkansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for surgical technologists in Arkansas?
How does Arkansas surgical technologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level surgical technologist salary in Arkansas?
How many surgical technologists are employed in Arkansas?
Which Arkansas city offers the best value for surgical technologists?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.40% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 surgical technologist compensation across Arkansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 metro areas — larger metro areas with more surgical technologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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