Surgical Technologist Salary in Sioux City, IA: $62,892 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Sioux City, IA earns a median $62,892/year (≈ $30.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Sioux City's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.5), that paycheck buys what $72,746 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Surgical technologists in Sioux City, Iowa, can expect a median annual salary of $62,892 in 2026, which aligns with their integral role in various surgical environments, including hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers (ASC), and specialty surgical centers. The salary range for this profession spans from $40,590 at the 10th percentile to $113,463 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the diverse compensation opportunities available. This data is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys. Notably, with a projected growth rate of 5.40% annually over the next five years, the demand for surgical technologists indicates a robust market environment, making Sioux City an appealing place for professionals in this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,590 | $19.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,838 | $25.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,892 | $30.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,731 | $36.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,463 | $54.54 |
Median Salary Position
7.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sioux City
In Sioux City, IA, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,873 (2026 est.). At $62,892, the local median is 7.7% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sioux City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sioux City Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Sioux City median: $62,892/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sioux City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $63,463 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -7.70% less |
Surgical Technologists in Sioux City, IA earn a median of $62,892 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.70% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 0.90% below the Iowa state average of $63,463.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sioux City has a cost of living 13.55% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sioux City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 86.454 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $62,892 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,746 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,060
2025 BLS Actual
$59,670
2026 Current Est.
$62,892
2019–2027 Growth
+50.4%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Sioux City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,060 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,810 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,170 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,810 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,220 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,670 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,892 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,288 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sioux City metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 35.4% from $44,060 (2019) to $59,670 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,288 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,228 (50.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux City 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) | $40,590 – $53,838 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,838 – $62,892 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,892 – $76,731 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,731 – $113,463 |
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 Sioux City
In Sioux City, the local job market includes approximately 90 surgical technologists, reflecting a steady demand for their services. Given the area’s cost of living index of 86.454, which is below the national average, surgical technologists may find their take-home pay offers greater purchasing power compared to more expensive regions. Among the various employers, hospital operating rooms typically provide the most competitive salaries, but specialty surgical centers focusing on orthopedics or cardiothoracic surgeries can also be lucrative. The disparity in wages can often be attributed to specialty areas, such as cardiovascular or neurosurgery, which generally command higher pay due to their complexity. Additionally, those holding certifications in robotic surgery or taking on surgical first assistant roles may enjoy premium compensation. For surgical technologists in Sioux City seeking to maximize their pay, pursuing advanced certifications, gaining experience in high-demand specialties, or considering travel surgical tech positions could be effective strategies to enhance their earnings potential.
More salary data for Sioux City, 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 $59,670 for surgical technologistsin the Sioux City 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