Surgical Technologist Salary in District of Columbia: $83,003 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across District of Columbia's 1 metropolitan areas, the average median surgical technologist pay sits at $83,003/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2055. Because District of Columbia sits at BEA RPP 117.0 (17% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $70,943 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Washington ($78,750).
In 2026, surgical technologists in the District of Columbia can expect an average median salary of $83,003, significantly higher than the national median of $68,141, representing a 21.8% increase. Washington is the only city in the District, and its salary aligns with this average, meaning there is no disparity in pay within the area. Factors influencing the salary levels include the state's licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which are relatively stringent compared to other regions. These regulations ensure a well-trained workforce, thereby increasing demand for skilled surgical technologists. Additionally, the projected job market reflects a healthy growth rate of 5.40% annually, indicating an ongoing need for these professionals as healthcare continues to evolve. With a total of 1,430 surgical technologists employed, the District of Columbia presents a strong job outlook, driven by a high volume of medical facilities and an expanding healthcare sector. This suggests that individuals entering this field can expect not only competitive salaries but also robust opportunities for career advancement and stability in the coming years.
District of Columbia Surgical Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in District of Columbia: $48,737 (lowest entry-level) to $107,951 (highest top earner)
District of Columbia vs National Average
District of Columbia surgical technologists earn 21.81% more than the national median (+$14,862/year difference).
District of Columbia Surgical Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Surgical Technologist salaries in District of Columbia range from $48,737 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $107,951 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $83,003. The District of Columbia median is $14,862 above the US national median of $68,141. The average hourly rate is $39.90/hr. Approximately 1,430 surgical technologists are employed across 1 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,780
2025 BLS Actual
$78,750
2026 Current Est.
$83,003
2019–2027 Growth
+46.3%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in District of Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,780 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,010 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,160 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,970 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,680 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,003 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,485 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the District of Columbia metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 31.7% from $59,780 (2019) to $78,750 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,485 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,705 (46.34%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the District of Columbia 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 1 Highest Paying Cities in District of Columbia
Salary by Experience Level in District of Columbia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $48,737 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $83,003 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $107,951 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across District of Columbia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 1 Cities in District of Columbia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $83,003 |
More District of Columbia Salary Data
Explore More Surgical Technologist Salary Data
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
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 District of Columbia. State averages are employment-weighted across 1 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