Surgical Technologist Salary in Iowa: $63,469 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Iowa's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median surgical technologist pay sits at $63,469/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2055. Because Iowa sits at BEA RPP 90.4 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $70,209 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Des Moines ($62,250), West Des Moines ($61,446), Cedar Falls ($61,187).
For individuals considering a career as a surgical technologist in Iowa, understanding the financial landscape is crucial. The projected average median salary for surgical technologists in Iowa in 2026 is $63,469, which is approximately 6.9% lower than the national median of $68,141. The highest salaries in the state can be found in Des Moines, where the average is $65,612, while Fort Dodge represents the lower end at $58,248, highlighting a salary gap of $7,364 between the highest and lowest paying cities. This disparity is often influenced by local cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of medical facilities. Iowa requires surgical technologists to have a solid understanding of state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which can impact employment opportunities and salary ranges. The overall job market for surgical technologists in the state shows a positive trend, with an expected annual growth rate of 5.40%, indicating a steady demand for this profession. In addition to Des Moines, other cities like West Des Moines ($64,764), Cedar Falls ($64,491), Davenport ($63,788), and Dubuque ($63,767) also present strong earning potential for surgical technologists. Overall, the profession offers a solid career pathway with promising growth prospects in Iowa.
Iowa Surgical Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Iowa: $40,590 (lowest entry-level) to $113,463 (highest top earner)
Iowa vs National Average
Iowa surgical technologists earn 6.86% less than the national median ($-4,672/year difference).
Iowa Surgical Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Surgical Technologist salaries in Iowa range from $49,796 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $82,691 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $63,469. The Iowa median is $4,672 below the US national median of $68,141. The average hourly rate is $30.51/hr. Approximately 800 surgical technologists are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$42,463
2025 BLS Actual
$60,217
2026 Current Est.
$63,469
2019–2027 Growth
+57.5%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Iowa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,463 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,863 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,098 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,336 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,382 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,908 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,217 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,469 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,896 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 41.8% from $42,463 (2019) to $60,217 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,896 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,433 (57.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa 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 Iowa
Lowest Paying Cities in Iowa
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Fort Dodge | $58,248 |
| Johnston | $58,898 |
| Ottumwa | $59,040 |
| Muscatine | $59,264 |
| Clinton | $59,546 |
Best Value Cities for Surgical Technologists in Iowa
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Iowa cities offer the most purchasing power for surgical technologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubuque | $63,767 | 87.328 | $73,020 |
| Sioux City | $62,892 | 86.454 | $72,746 |
| Waterloo | $63,145 | 87.057 | $72,533 |
| West Des Moines | $64,764 | 90.4 | $71,642 |
| Davenport | $63,788 | 89.079 | $71,608 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Iowa
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $49,796 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $63,469 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $82,691 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Iowa metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines | $65,612 |
| 2 | West Des Moines | $64,764 |
| 3 | Cedar Falls | $64,491 |
| 4 | Davenport | $63,788 |
| 5 | Dubuque | $63,767 |
| 6 | Ames | $63,146 |
| 7 | Waterloo | $63,145 |
| 8 | Cedar Rapids | $63,099 |
| 9 | Sioux City | $62,892 |
| 10 | Marion | $62,397 |
| 11 | Iowa City | $62,112 |
| 12 | Ankeny | $61,668 |
| 13 | Council Bluffs | $61,281 |
| 14 | Burlington | $60,930 |
| 15 | Waukee | $60,710 |
| 16 | Urbandale | $60,629 |
| 17 | Bettendorf | $60,624 |
| 18 | Marshalltown | $60,437 |
| 19 | Coralville | $60,357 |
| 20 | Mason City | $60,078 |
| 21 | North Liberty | $59,842 |
| 22 | Clinton | $59,546 |
| 23 | Muscatine | $59,264 |
| 24 | Ottumwa | $59,040 |
| 25 | Johnston | $58,898 |
| 26 | Fort Dodge | $58,248 |
More Iowa Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore surgical technologist hourly pay in Iowa cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new surgical technologists.
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 Iowa in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for surgical technologists in Iowa?
How does Iowa surgical technologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level surgical technologist salary in Iowa?
How many surgical technologists are employed in Iowa?
Which Iowa 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 Iowa. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 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