Surgical Technologist Salary in Florida: $65,743 (2026)
💡Quick Answer:Across Florida's 84 metropolitan areas, the average median surgical technologist pay sits at $65,743/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2055.Because Florida sits at BEA RPP 100.8 (1% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $65,221 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: West Palm Beach ($66,996), Port St. Lucie ($65,780), Miami ($65,520).
In 2026, surgical technologists in Florida are expected to earn an average median salary of $65,743, which falls short of the national median of $68,141 by 3.5%. The salary range across the state varies significantly, with West Palm Beach offering the highest average salary at $70,614, while Palm Bay presents the lowest at $53,227. This disparity can be attributed to several factors, including the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of surgical facilities in metropolitan regions.
Florida's surgical technologists must adhere to state licensing requirements and are subject to specific scope of practice laws that delineate their responsibilities. The demand for surgical technologists is driven by the growth of the healthcare sector, projected to experience a steady 5.40% annual growth rate over the next few years. With 9,470 surgical technologists currently employed in the state, cities like Port St. Lucie, Miami, Hialeah, and Naples also show promising salaries, ranging from $68,415 to $69,332. Overall, the job market for surgical technologists in Florida appears favorable, with ongoing opportunities anticipated due to evolving healthcare needs.
Florida Surgical Technologist Salary Range
Entry Level (10th %ile)
$44,844
avg across 84 cities
Median
$65,743
state average
Top Earners (90th %ile)
$92,692
avg across 84 cities
Overall salary range in Florida: $34,571 (lowest entry-level) to $109,395 (highest top earner)
Florida vs National Average
Florida
$65,743
National Median
$68,141
Florida surgical technologists earn 3.52% less than the national median ($-2,398/year difference).
Florida Surgical Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Surgical Technologist salaries in Florida range from $44,844 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $92,692 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $65,743. The Florida median is $2,398 below the US national median of $68,141. The average hourly rate is $31.61/hr. Approximately 9,470 surgical technologists are employed across 84 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$44,599
2025 BLS Actual
$62,375
2026 Current Est.
$65,743
2019–2027 Growth
+55.4%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Florida (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Year
Annual Salary
Status
2019
$44,599
Actual
2020
$46,676
Actual
2021
$46,984
Actual
2022
$50,329
Actual
2023
$56,665
Actual
2024
$60,130
Actual
2025
$62,375
Actual
2026(current)
$65,743
Estimated
2027
$69,293
Projected
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Florida metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 39.9% from $44,599 (2019) to $62,375 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,293 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,694 (55.37%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florida 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.
How much do surgical technologists make in Florida in 2026?
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The average median surgical technologist salary in Florida is $65,743/year across 84 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $53,227 in Palm Bay to $70,614 in West Palm Beach. This makes Florida 3.52% below the national median of $68,141. The state employs approximately 9,470 surgical technologists.
What is the highest paying city for surgical technologists in Florida?
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West Palm Beach offers the highest surgical technologist salary in Florida at $70,614/year ($33.95/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are West Palm Beach ($70,614), Port St. Lucie ($69,332), Miami ($69,058). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for surgical services services, and competition among employers for licensed surgical technologists.
How does Florida surgical technologist pay compare to the national average?
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Florida's average surgical technologist salary of $65,743 is 3.52% below the national median of $68,141 in 2026. The state employs approximately 9,470 surgical technologists across 84 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.
What is the entry-level surgical technologist salary in Florida?
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Entry-level surgical technologists (10th percentile) in Florida earn approximately $44,844/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $34,571 in lower-paying areas to $54,977 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.
How many surgical technologists are employed in Florida?
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Florida employs approximately 9,470 surgical technologists across 84 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. This makes Florida one of the larger employers of surgical technologists nationally. Demand continues to grow as the surgical services field expands and the population ages.
Which Florida city offers the best value for surgical technologists?
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When adjusted for cost of living, West Palm Beach offers the highest purchasing power for surgical technologists in Florida, with an adjusted salary of $70,054 (nominal: $70,614, CoL index: 100.8). This means your dollar goes 1% less far compared to the national average, making it important to negotiate higher base pay.
Jessica has over 10 years of experience as a surgical technologist. She specializes in orthopedic surgical procedures. Jessica works at a community hospital.
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 Florida. State averages are employment-weighted across 84 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).
