Surgical Technologist Salary in Waukegan, IL: $65,617 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Waukegan, IL earns a median $65,617/year (≈ $31.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Waukegan's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $67,577 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waukegan, IL, the projected 2026 median salary for surgical technologists is $65,617, reflecting a competitive local job market influenced by the choice of workplace—whether in hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, or specialized surgical units. Salaries range from $45,455 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $101,660 for those who reach the highest levels of the profession (90th percentile). These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, account for local economic factors and cost-of-living adjustments. This equates to a burgeoning sector, where skilled surgical professionals find lucrative opportunities, especially given the presence of various healthcare facilities in the region.
About the Waukegan Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,455 | $21.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,138 | $26.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,617 | $31.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,694 | $38.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,660 | $48.87 |
Median Salary Position
3.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waukegan
In Waukegan, IL, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,205 (2026 est.). At $65,617, the local median is 3.7% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waukegan: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waukegan Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Waukegan median: $65,617/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waukegan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $65,551 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $68,141 | -3.70% less |
Surgical Technologists in Waukegan, IL earn a median of $65,617 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.70% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 0.10% above the Illinois state average of $65,551.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waukegan has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waukegan, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $65,617 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,577 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,511
2025 BLS Actual
$62,255
2026 Current Est.
$65,617
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Waukegan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,511 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,868 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,732 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,887 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,365 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,399 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,255 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,617 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,160 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waukegan metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $46,511 (2019) to $62,255 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,160 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,649 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waukegan 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) | $45,455 – $54,138 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,138 – $65,617 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,617 – $80,694 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,694 – $101,660 |
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 Waukegan
The local job market has seen 18 surgical technologists currently employed in Waukegan, contributing to a dynamic professional environment. The cost-of-living index stands at 97.1, indicating that while salaries are slightly below the national median, purchasing power remains relatively strong. Employers like hospital operating rooms and specialty surgical centers generally provide the highest compensation, particularly those focused on complex fields such as cardiothoracic and orthopedic surgery. A few factors drive the disparity in wages, including specialization, potential on-call requirements, and performance incentives tied to certifications in robotic surgery or roles as surgical first assistants. To maximize earnings in Waukegan, surgical technologists should consider pursuing advanced certifications, especially in high-demand specialties, and remain open to travel assignments, which often pay a premium compared to traditional positions.
More salary data for Waukegan, IL:
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 $62,255 for surgical technologistsin the Waukegan 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
Salary data for Waukegan is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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