Surgical Technologist Salary in Louisiana: $60,156 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Louisiana's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median surgical technologist pay sits at $60,156/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2055. Because Louisiana sits at BEA RPP 90.3 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $66,618 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Hammond ($61,090), Baton Rouge ($60,230), Slidell ($59,100).
In Louisiana, the average projected salary for surgical technologists in 2026 is $60,156, which is 11.7% lower than the national median of $68,141. The salary range across the state varies significantly, with Hammond offering the highest average salary at $64,389, while Bossier City has the lowest at $53,699, creating a difference of $10,690. This discrepancy can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, local healthcare facility funding, and demand for surgical services. The state has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that affect surgical technologists. These regulations can influence job availability and salary levels. Additionally, the overall job market for surgical technologists in Louisiana is projected to grow at an annual compound growth rate of 5.40%, indicating a steady demand for skilled professionals in the field. Top-paying cities include Baton Rouge at $63,482, Slidell at $62,291, Metairie at $62,053, and Lake Charles at $62,028. With a total of 2,159 surgical technologists employed in the state, Louisiana presents a reliable job outlook for those entering or advancing in this profession. Understanding local market dynamics is essential for prospective surgical technologists when considering their career path in Louisiana.
Louisiana Surgical Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Louisiana: $32,432 (lowest entry-level) to $96,183 (highest top earner)
Louisiana vs National Average
Louisiana surgical technologists earn 11.72% less than the national median ($-7,985/year difference).
Louisiana Surgical Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Surgical Technologist salaries in Louisiana range from $39,125 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $76,609 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $60,156. The Louisiana median is $7,985 below the US national median of $68,141. The average hourly rate is $28.92/hr. Approximately 2,159 surgical technologists are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$41,612
2025 BLS Actual
$57,074
2026 Current Est.
$60,156
2019–2027 Growth
+52.4%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Louisiana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,612 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,200 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,655 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,888 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,799 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,695 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,074 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,156 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,405 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisiana metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 37.2% from $41,612 (2019) to $57,074 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,405 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,793 (52.37%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisiana 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 Louisiana
Lowest Paying Cities in Louisiana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Bossier City | $53,699 |
| Alexandria | $53,712 |
| Thibodaux | $54,462 |
| Shreveport | $54,566 |
| Houma | $55,630 |
Best Value Cities for Surgical Technologists in Louisiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Louisiana cities offer the most purchasing power for surgical technologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hammond | $64,389 | 84.46 | $76,236 |
| Lake Charles | $62,028 | 85.852 | $72,250 |
| Monroe | $59,857 | 83.597 | $71,602 |
| Baton Rouge | $63,482 | 90.78 | $69,929 |
| Metairie | $62,053 | 90.3 | $68,719 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Louisiana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $39,125 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $60,156 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $76,609 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Louisiana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Louisiana
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hammond | $64,389 |
| 2 | Baton Rouge | $63,482 |
| 3 | Slidell | $62,291 |
| 4 | Metairie | $62,053 |
| 5 | Lake Charles | $62,028 |
| 6 | New Orleans | $61,828 |
| 7 | Monroe | $59,857 |
| 8 | Kenner | $59,610 |
| 9 | Ruston | $58,508 |
| 10 | Central | $58,447 |
| 11 | New Iberia | $57,636 |
| 12 | Natchitoches | $56,855 |
| 13 | Lafayette | $56,674 |
| 14 | Zachary | $56,585 |
| 15 | Sulphur | $56,260 |
| 16 | Houma | $55,630 |
| 17 | Shreveport | $54,566 |
| 18 | Thibodaux | $54,462 |
| 19 | Alexandria | $53,712 |
| 20 | Bossier City | $53,699 |
More Louisiana Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore surgical technologist hourly pay in Louisiana cities.
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 Louisiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for surgical technologists in Louisiana?
How does Louisiana surgical technologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level surgical technologist salary in Louisiana?
How many surgical technologists are employed in Louisiana?
Which Louisiana 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 Louisiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 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