Surgical Technologist Salary in Lafayette, LA: $56,674 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Lafayette, LA earns a median $56,674/year (≈ $27.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Lafayette's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.2), that paycheck buys what $64,986 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.9% below the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lafayette, Louisiana, the projected median annual salary for surgical technologists in 2026 stands at $56,674. This figure reflects a robust salary range from $40,906 at the 10th percentile to $74,423 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse compensation spectrum in the local job market. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, showing Lafayette's surgical technologist pay is significantly lower than the national median of $68,141, highlighting the financial reality for those in this profession in the region. Notably, surgical technologists specializing in cardiovascular and neurosurgery often receive higher compensation, with specialties driving greater demand and premium salaries within the local healthcare system, ultimately influencing the competitiveness of job offerings in Lafayette.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,906 | $19.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,311 | $25.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,674 | $27.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,812 | $31.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,423 | $35.78 |
Median Salary Position
16.83% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lafayette
In Lafayette, LA, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,517 (2026 est.). At $56,674, the local median is 16.83% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lafayette: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lafayette Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Lafayette median: $56,674/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lafayette Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $60,874 | -6.90% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -16.83% less |
Surgical Technologists in Lafayette, LA earn a median of $56,674 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.83% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 6.90% below the Louisiana state average of $60,874.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lafayette has a cost of living 12.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lafayette, LA has a cost-of-living index of 87.209 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $56,674 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,986 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,860
2025 BLS Actual
$53,770
2026 Current Est.
$56,674
2019–2027 Growth
+57.8%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,860 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,344 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,200 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,920 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,930 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,770 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,674 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,734 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lafayette metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 42.0% from $37,860 (2019) to $53,770 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,734 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,874 (57.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lafayette 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) | $40,906 – $53,311 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,311 – $56,674 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,674 – $65,812 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,812 – $74,423 |
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 Lafayette
With 220 surgical technologists currently employed in Lafayette, the job outlook remains promising, supported by a cost of living index of 87.209, which allows for favorable purchasing power despite lower salaries compared to national figures. Operating rooms in hospitals usually offer the most competitive wages, closely followed by ambulatory surgery and specialty surgical centers like orthopedic and cardiac programs. The variances in surgical technologist salaries can largely be attributed to factors such as specialty focus, call coverage, advanced certifications like robotic surgery proficiency, and roles as surgical first assistants. To maximize earnings in the Lafayette market, it’s advisable to pursue certifications that enhance skill sets, such as those endorsed by the AST and NBSTSA, while also looking into travel opportunities that may yield significant pay increases for surgical technologists willing to work in different settings.
More salary data for Lafayette, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can surgical technologists make $100K in Lafayette?
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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 $53,770 for surgical technologistsin the Lafayette 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, 6-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