Surgical Technologist Salary in Paducah, KY: $60,679 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Paducah, KY earns a median $60,679/year (≈ $29.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Paducah's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.1), that paycheck buys what $70,488 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Paducah, Kentucky, surgical technologists can anticipate a median annual salary of $60,679 in 2026, reflecting a notable entry point in this rewarding field. This figure surfaces within a salary range spanning from $43,435 at the 10th percentile to $81,727 at the 90th percentile. Such earnings are sourced from data derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys. Importantly, surgical technologists specializing in cardiovascular and neurosurgery can command higher pay, highlighting an opportunity for those entering subspecialties to significantly enhance their earnings potential. Given Paducah's employment of 60 surgical technologists, the local job market appears stable, encouraging prospective professionals to pursue careers in this essential area of healthcare.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,435 | $20.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,846 | $24.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,679 | $29.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,532 | $37.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,727 | $39.29 |
Median Salary Position
10.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Paducah
In Paducah, KY, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,292 (2026 est.). At $60,679, the local median is 10.95% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Paducah: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Paducah Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Paducah median: $60,679/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Paducah Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $60,861 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -10.95% less |
Surgical Technologists in Paducah, KY earn a median of $60,679 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.95% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 0.30% below the Kentucky state average of $60,861.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Paducah has a cost of living 13.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Paducah, KY has a cost-of-living index of 86.084 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $60,679 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,488 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,011
2025 BLS Actual
$57,570
2026 Current Est.
$60,679
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Paducah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,011 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,266 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,215 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,832 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,972 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,630 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,570 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,679 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,955 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Paducah metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.8% from $43,011 (2019) to $57,570 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,955 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,944 (48.69%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Paducah 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) | $43,435 – $51,846 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,846 – $60,679 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,679 – $77,532 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,532 – $81,727 |
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 Paducah
Evaluating the local job market through the lens of compensation, surgical technologist pay in Paducah KY is influenced by several factors, including a cost-of-living index of 86.084, which suggests greater purchasing power for residents compared to national averages. While local hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers typically offer competitive wages, specialty surgical centers focusing on orthopedic and cardiac cases tend to pay more, especially when incorporating elements like call coverage and surgical first assistant roles. The gap between lower and higher pay is attributed to various factors—including specialty skills, robotic surgery certifications, and trauma center designations. To maximize earnings, surgical technologists in Paducah may pursue credentials such as the CST through NBSTSA or additional training in areas like robotic surgery, thereby enhancing their prospects in a market where specialized skills are increasingly valued.
More salary data for Paducah, KY:
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 $57,570 for surgical technologistsin the Paducah 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, 2-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