Surgical Technologist Salary in Waterbury, CT: $82,855 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Waterbury, CT earns a median $82,855/year (≈ $39.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Waterbury's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.8), that paycheck buys what $83,039 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Connecticut state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, surgical technologist salaries in Waterbury, Connecticut, are projected to offer a median annual income of $82,855, substantially higher than the national median of $68,141. This competitive figure reflects the local healthcare landscape, where surgical technologists often find employment in hospital operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical facilities. The salary range extends from $54,766 at the 10th percentile to $103,144 at the 90th percentile, indicating a promising opportunity for growth, influenced by factors such as experience, specialization, and employer types. This data is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, highlighting Waterbury's job market as a viable option for those pursuing a career in surgical technology.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,766 | $26.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,907 | $31.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,855 | $39.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,046 | $44.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,144 | $49.59 |
Median Salary Position
21.59% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waterbury
In Waterbury, CT, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,378 (2026 est.). At $82,855, the local median is 21.59% above the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waterbury: You'd be above the median
How Waterbury Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Waterbury median: $82,855/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waterbury Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $68,141 | +21.59% more |
Surgical Technologists in Waterbury, CT earn a median of $82,855 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.59% higher than the national median of $68,141.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waterbury has a cost of living 0.22% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waterbury, CT has a cost-of-living index of 99.778 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $82,855 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,039 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.22% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$65,370
2025 BLS Actual
$78,610
2026 Current Est.
$82,855
2019–2027 Growth
+33.6%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Waterbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,370 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,170 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,610 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,855 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,329 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waterbury metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 20.3% from $65,370 (2019) to $78,610 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,329 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,959 (33.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waterbury 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) | $54,766 – $65,907 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,907 – $82,855 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,855 – $92,046 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,046 – $103,144 |
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 Waterbury
At present, there are approximately 90 surgical technologists employed in the Waterbury area, an indicator of a solid local job market. With a cost-of-living index of 99.778, Waterbury maintains a relatively affordable living environment compared to the national average, enhancing the purchasing power of its surgical technologists. Among the various employers, hospital operating rooms tend to offer the highest salaries, particularly for roles that involve advanced specialties like cardiovascular or neurosurgery. The differences in compensation can be attributed to factors such as specialized certifications, including robotic surgery qualifications and call coverage requirements. For those looking to maximize their surgical technologist pay in Waterbury, pursuing niche specialties while obtaining the CST credential and exploring flexible roles in travel surgical tech could be effective strategies in this evolving market.
More salary data for Waterbury, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Waterbury, CT in 2026?
Is Waterbury, CT a good place to work as a surgical technologist?
Can surgical technologists make $100K in Waterbury?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted surgical technologist salary in Waterbury?
How much does a surgical technologist make per hour in Waterbury?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Connecticut
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 $78,610 for surgical technologistsin the Waterbury 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