Surgical Technologist Salary in Council Bluffs, IA: $61,281 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Council Bluffs, IA earns a median $61,281/year (≈ $29.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Council Bluffs's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $67,789 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, surgical technologists in Council Bluffs, Iowa, can anticipate a median annual salary of $61,281, reflecting the locality's commitment to advanced surgical practices, including robotic surgery certification! The salary range for this profession in the area spans from $43,565 at the 10th percentile to $90,520 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a significant variance that highlights specialized skills and certifications. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price disparities, providing a clearer picture of what is available in this specific job market. With these trends, Council Bluffs is positioned as an appealing spot for surgical technologists, especially those with credentials and specializations that enhance their earning potential.
About the Council Bluffs Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,565 | $20.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,584 | $24.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,281 | $29.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,384 | $36.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,520 | $43.52 |
Median Salary Position
10.07% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Council Bluffs
In Council Bluffs, IA, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,955 (2026 est.). At $61,281, the local median is 10.07% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Council Bluffs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Council Bluffs Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Council Bluffs median: $61,281/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Council Bluffs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $63,437 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -10.07% less |
Surgical Technologists in Council Bluffs, IA earn a median of $61,281 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.07% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 3.40% below the Iowa state average of $63,437.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Council Bluffs has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Council Bluffs, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $61,281 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,789 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,437
2025 BLS Actual
$58,141
2026 Current Est.
$61,281
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Council Bluffs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,437 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,705 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,644 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,326 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,508 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,889 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,141 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,281 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,590 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Council Bluffs metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $43,437 (2019) to $58,141 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,590 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,153 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Council Bluffs 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) | $43,565 – $51,584 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,584 – $61,281 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,281 – $76,384 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,384 – $90,520 |
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 Council Bluffs
The local job market features 12 surgical technologists, which reflects both the demand and competitive aspects of healthcare in Council Bluffs, IA. With a cost of living index of 90.4, salaries in this area afford residents more purchasing power compared to many parts of the nation. The highest-paying roles typically exist within hospital operating rooms, specialty surgical centers like orthopedic and cardiothoracic facilities, and occasionally military or VA units. Factors contributing to salary variances include specialization, such as the premium for cardiovascular and neurosurgery roles, call coverage differentials, and additional income from certifications like robotic surgery. To optimize surgical technologist pay in Council Bluffs, it is advisable to seek after certifications and consider opportunities in travel surgical tech positions that often offer higher rates associated with specialized roles and the complexities of trauma cases.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, IA:
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 $58,141 for surgical technologistsin the Council Bluffs 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 Council Bluffs 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