Surgical Technologist Salary in Palm Bay, FL: $53,227 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Palm Bay, FL earns a median $53,227/year (≈ $25.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Palm Bay's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.0), that paycheck buys what $53,224 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 18.2% below the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Surgical technologists in Palm Bay, Florida, can anticipate a median annual salary of $53,227 in 2026, a figure that lags significantly behind the national median of $68,141, translating to an approximate decrease of 21.89%. The local salary range for this occupation is from $39,009 at the 10th percentile to $76,742 at the 90th percentile, reflecting considerable variance in compensation within the field. This information, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlights the influence of subspecialties on earnings. Surgical technologists specializing in cardiovascular and neurosurgical procedures often command higher premiums, positioning themselves at the higher end of the salary spectrum. With professional certification such as the CST credential being the hiring standard, the demand for trained surgical technologists remains robust in Palm Bay's healthcare scene, emphasizing the importance of gaining specialized training to enhance earning potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,009 | $18.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,202 | $24.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,227 | $25.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,117 | $31.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,742 | $36.89 |
Median Salary Position
21.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Palm Bay
In Palm Bay, FL, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,733 (2026 est.). At $53,227, the local median is 21.89% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Palm Bay: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Palm Bay Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Palm Bay median: $53,227/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Palm Bay Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $65,070 | -18.20% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -21.89% less |
Surgical Technologists in Palm Bay, FL earn a median of $53,227 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.89% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 18.20% below the Florida state average of $65,070.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Palm Bay has a cost of living 0.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Palm Bay, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.005 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $53,227 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $53,224 — a 0.01% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,230
2025 BLS Actual
$50,500
2026 Current Est.
$53,227
2019–2027 Growth
+32.8%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Palm Bay (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,770 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,300 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,410 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,400 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,500 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,227 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,101 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Palm Bay metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 19.6% from $42,230 (2019) to $50,500 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,101 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,871 (32.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Palm Bay 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) | $39,009 – $50,202 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,202 – $53,227 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,227 – $66,117 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,117 – $76,742 |
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 Palm Bay
In Palm Bay, approximately 230 surgical technologists are currently employed, indicating a healthy local job market. The cost-of-living index stands at 100.005, which means that the purchasing power for surgical technologists remains close to the national average, enabling residents to sustain a comfortable lifestyle. Top earners in the region often find employment in hospital operating rooms, specialty surgical centers such as orthopedic and cardiothoracic facilities, and military surgical units, where additional skills like robotic surgery certification can provide a salary boost. The variation in pay can be attributed to factors like specialization, on-call responsibilities, and whether a surgical technologist takes on roles such as surgical first assistant. For individuals aiming to maximize their pay in Palm Bay, pursuing certifications in high-demand areas and seeking positions with varying responsibilities can significantly enhance their compensation prospects.
More salary data for Palm Bay, 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 $50,500 for surgical technologistsin the Palm Bay 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