Surgical Technologist Salary in Orlando, FL: $65,063 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Orlando, FL earns a median $65,063/year (≈ $31.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Orlando's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.4), that paycheck buys what $64,153 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, surgical technologists in Orlando, Florida, can expect a median annual salary of $65,063 based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. Salaries within the field range from $42,107 at the 10th percentile to $83,350 at the 90th percentile, providing a clear picture of compensation variability. The job market for surgical technologists in Orlando benefits from the presence of diverse surgical facilities including hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical centers, each contributing to varying pay scales. With the increase in healthcare services and surgical procedures in the Orlando area, the demand for skilled surgical technologists is likely to rise, making this an opportune moment for pursuing a career in this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,107 | $20.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,796 | $25.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,063 | $31.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,233 | $35.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,350 | $40.07 |
Median Salary Position
4.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Orlando
In Orlando, FL, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,243 (2026 est.). At $65,063, the local median is 4.52% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Orlando: You'd be above the median
How Orlando Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Orlando median: $65,063/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Orlando Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $68,141 | -4.52% less |
Surgical Technologists in Orlando, FL earn a median of $65,063 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.52% lower than the national median of $68,141.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Orlando has a cost of living 1.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Orlando, FL has a cost-of-living index of 101.418 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $65,063 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $64,153 — a 1.4% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,320
2025 BLS Actual
$61,730
2026 Current Est.
$65,063
2019–2027 Growth
+48.1%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Orlando (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,310 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,780 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,740 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,730 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,063 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,577 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Orlando metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.3% from $46,320 (2019) to $61,730 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,577 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,257 (48.05%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Orlando 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) | $42,107 – $53,796 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,796 – $65,063 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,063 – $74,233 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,233 – $83,350 |
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 Orlando
Currently, there are approximately 1,490 surgical technologists employed in the Orlando region, highlighting a robust local job market. The cost of living index in the area is slightly above the national average at 101.418, which affects the real value of take-home pay for those in the profession. Hospitals tend to offer the highest salaries among local employers, especially for roles focusing on complex specialties, such as cardiovascular and neuro surgery. Factors such as call coverage, certifications in robotic surgery, and roles as first surgical assistants also contribute to the wide salary range; those in travel surgical tech positions or working in trauma designated centers can command even higher rates. To optimize earnings in Orlando's competitive market, specialists should seek certifications that enhance expertise, such as obtaining the CST credential and training in advanced surgical systems, including robotics. This proactive approach can significantly impact long-term career pay and opportunities.
More salary data for Orlando, FL:
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
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 $61,730 for surgical technologistsin the Orlando 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