Surgical Technologist Salary in Idaho: $74,569 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Idaho's 16 metropolitan areas, the average median surgical technologist pay sits at $74,569/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2055. Because Idaho sits at BEA RPP 95.3 (5% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $78,247 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Boise City ($76,650), Boise ($63,863), Nampa ($63,380).
In 2026, surgical technologists in Idaho are projected to earn an average median salary of $74,569, which is 9.4% higher than the national median of $68,141. The highest-paying city, Boise City, offers an average salary of $80,789, while Mountain Home has the lowest average at $61,230, resulting in a salary gap of $19,559. This disparity is influenced by factors such as the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of medical facilities in urban areas. Idaho requires surgical technologists to meet specific licensing and certification standards, which ensure a qualified workforce in the healthcare sector. The overall demand for surgical technologists is expected to grow, with an annual growth rate of 5.40%. As the population ages and healthcare needs increase, job opportunities in this field are likely to expand, offering potential for career advancement and stability. Cities like Boise City, Nampa, Twin Falls, and Lewiston are projected to offer salaries ranging from $66,339 to $80,789, reflecting regional differences in healthcare infrastructure and service demand. Understanding these dynamics is essential for those considering a career as a surgical technologist in Idaho.
Idaho Surgical Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Idaho: $43,810 (lowest entry-level) to $104,050 (highest top earner)
Idaho vs National Average
Idaho surgical technologists earn 9.43% more than the national median (+$6,428/year difference).
Idaho Surgical Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Surgical Technologist salaries in Idaho range from $50,470 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $97,532 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $74,569. The Idaho median is $6,428 above the US national median of $68,141. The average hourly rate is $35.85/hr. Approximately 776 surgical technologists are employed across 16 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$44,981
2025 BLS Actual
$70,749
2026 Current Est.
$74,569
2019–2027 Growth
+74.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Idaho (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,981 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,315 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,698 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,689 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,115 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,749 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,569 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,596 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Idaho metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 57.3% from $44,981 (2019) to $70,749 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,596 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,615 (74.73%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Idaho 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 5 Highest Paying Cities in Idaho
Lowest Paying Cities in Idaho
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Mountain Home | $61,230 |
| Eagle | $61,838 |
| Post Falls | $62,418 |
| Pocatello | $62,766 |
| Kuna | $62,800 |
Best Value Cities for Surgical Technologists in Idaho
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Idaho cities offer the most purchasing power for surgical technologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise City | $80,789 | 98.391 | $82,110 |
| Lewiston | $66,339 | 91.16 | $72,772 |
| Twin Falls | $66,697 | 92.108 | $72,412 |
| Boise | $67,312 | 95.3 | $70,632 |
| Pocatello | $62,766 | 88.906 | $70,598 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Idaho
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $50,470 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $74,569 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $97,532 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Idaho metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 16 Cities in Idaho
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boise City | $80,789 |
| 2 | Boise | $67,312 |
| 3 | Nampa | $66,803 |
| 4 | Twin Falls | $66,697 |
| 5 | Lewiston | $66,339 |
| 6 | Idaho Falls | $65,705 |
| 7 | Coeur d'Alene | $65,546 |
| 8 | Caldwell | $65,448 |
| 9 | Meridian | $65,180 |
| 10 | Rexburg | $64,328 |
| 11 | Moscow | $63,315 |
| 12 | Kuna | $62,800 |
| 13 | Pocatello | $62,766 |
| 14 | Post Falls | $62,418 |
| 15 | Eagle | $61,838 |
| 16 | Mountain Home | $61,230 |
More Idaho Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced surgical technologists.
Explore More Surgical Technologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Idaho in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for surgical technologists in Idaho?
How does Idaho surgical technologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level surgical technologist salary in Idaho?
How many surgical technologists are employed in Idaho?
Which Idaho city offers the best value for surgical technologists?
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 Idaho. State averages are employment-weighted across 16 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