Surgical Technologist Salary in Sanford, ME: $63,400 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Sanford, ME earns a median $63,400/year (≈ $30.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Sanford's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.6), that paycheck buys what $63,655 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Maine state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Surgical technologists in Sanford, Maine, can anticipate a median annual salary of $63,400 in 2026, reflecting a competitive pay structure when measuring against the national median. The salary range for this role in the area spans from $49,926 at the lower end to $86,430 at the upper limit, offering various opportunities for career advancement based on specialization and experience. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, with adjustments made for regional cost of living. Given that Sanford hosts surgical services across different settings—including hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical units—demand for skilled technologists remains robust, shaping a dynamic job market in the city.
About the Sanford Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,926 | $24.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,483 | $27.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,400 | $30.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,283 | $35.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,430 | $41.55 |
Median Salary Position
6.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sanford
In Sanford, ME, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,504 (2026 est.). At $63,400, the local median is 6.96% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sanford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sanford Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Sanford median: $63,400/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sanford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $67,880 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -6.96% less |
Surgical Technologists in Sanford, ME earn a median of $63,400 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.96% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 6.60% below the Maine state average of $67,880.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sanford has a cost of living 0.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sanford, ME has a cost-of-living index of 99.6 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $63,400 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,655 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.4% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,940
2025 BLS Actual
$60,152
2026 Current Est.
$63,400
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Sanford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,940 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,251 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,154 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,067 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,393 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,965 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,152 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,400 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,824 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sanford metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.8% from $44,940 (2019) to $60,152 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,824 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,884 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sanford 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) | $49,926 – $56,483 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,483 – $63,400 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,400 – $74,283 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,283 – $86,430 |
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 Sanford
In terms of job market dynamics, Sanford employs approximately six surgical technologists, indicating a specialized yet competitive environment. With a cost-of-living index of 99.6, professionals in surgical technology find that their take-home pay stretches further than in many higher-cost areas. Hospitals typically offer the highest salaries, especially those with specialized surgical departments such as cardiothoracic or orthopedic surgery. Factors contributing to pay disparities include the nature of surgical specialties, participation in call coverage, and specialized certifications like robotic surgery proficiency. To improve earning potential in Sanford, surgical technologists should consider focusing on high-demand specialties, seeking additional certifications such as CSFA, and staying up-to-date with technological advancements in the field.
More salary data for Sanford, ME:
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 $60,152 for surgical technologistsin the Sanford 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 Sanford 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