Surgical Technologist Salary in Maryland: $71,655 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maryland's 27 metropolitan areas, the average median surgical technologist pay sits at $71,655/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2055. Because Maryland sits at BEA RPP 109.3 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $65,558 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Aspen Hill ($71,643), Gaithersburg ($71,178), Germantown ($71,128).
In Maryland, the projected average median salary for surgical technologists in 2026 is $71,654, which is 5.2% higher than the national median salary of $68,141. The highest paying city in the state is Aspen Hill, where surgical technologists can expect to earn an average of $75,512. Conversely, Hagerstown has the lowest average salary at $59,003, creating a significant salary gap of $16,509 between these two cities. This disparity is influenced by factors such as the cost of living, local demand for healthcare services, and the presence of medical facilities. Maryland has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that impact the job market for surgical technologists, contributing to a demand driven by an aging population and the expansion of healthcare services in urban areas. The total number of employed surgical technologists in the state is projected to reach 1,513, with an annual growth rate of 5.40%. Cities like Gaithersburg, Germantown, Ellicott City, and Waldorf show strong salaries close to Aspen Hill, indicating a solid job market for surgical technologists throughout Maryland.
Maryland Surgical Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maryland: $42,402 (lowest entry-level) to $112,940 (highest top earner)
Maryland vs National Average
Maryland surgical technologists earn 5.16% more than the national median (+$3,514/year difference).
Maryland Surgical Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Surgical Technologist salaries in Maryland range from $46,728 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $90,765 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $71,655. The Maryland median is $3,514 above the US national median of $68,141. The average hourly rate is $34.45/hr. Approximately 1,513 surgical technologists are employed across 27 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$51,502
2025 BLS Actual
$67,983
2026 Current Est.
$71,655
2019–2027 Growth
+46.6%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Maryland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,502 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,597 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,109 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,789 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,393 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,474 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,983 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,655 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,524 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maryland metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 32.0% from $51,502 (2019) to $67,983 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,524 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,022 (46.64%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maryland 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 Maryland
Lowest Paying Cities in Maryland
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hagerstown | $59,003 |
| Salisbury | $61,322 |
| Cumberland | $68,937 |
| Greenbelt | $70,516 |
| Laurel | $70,750 |
Best Value Cities for Surgical Technologists in Maryland
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maryland cities offer the most purchasing power for surgical technologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $72,694 | 104.487 | $69,572 |
| Aspen Hill | $75,512 | 109.3 | $69,087 |
| Gaithersburg | $75,022 | 109.3 | $68,639 |
| Germantown | $74,969 | 109.3 | $68,590 |
| Ellicott City | $74,798 | 109.3 | $68,434 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maryland
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $46,728 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $71,655 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $90,765 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maryland metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 27 Cities in Maryland
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aspen Hill | $75,512 |
| 2 | Gaithersburg | $75,022 |
| 3 | Germantown | $74,969 |
| 4 | Ellicott City | $74,798 |
| 5 | Waldorf | $74,721 |
| 6 | Wheaton | $74,467 |
| 7 | Bowie | $74,113 |
| 8 | Columbia | $74,006 |
| 9 | Glen Burnie | $73,883 |
| 10 | Frederick | $72,863 |
| 11 | Annapolis | $72,847 |
| 12 | Severn | $72,845 |
| 13 | College Park | $72,703 |
| 14 | Baltimore | $72,694 |
| 15 | Rockville | $72,609 |
| 16 | Silver Spring | $72,574 |
| 17 | Towson | $72,412 |
| 18 | Potomac | $72,229 |
| 19 | Bethesda | $71,937 |
| 20 | Dundalk | $71,937 |
| 21 | Odenton | $71,691 |
| 22 | Catonsville | $71,108 |
| 23 | Laurel | $70,750 |
| 24 | Greenbelt | $70,516 |
| 25 | Cumberland | $68,937 |
| 26 | Salisbury | $61,322 |
| 27 | Hagerstown | $59,003 |
More Maryland Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore surgical technologist hourly pay in Maryland cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced surgical technologists.
Compare Cities in Maryland
View all comparisons →Explore More Surgical Technologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Maryland in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for surgical technologists in Maryland?
How does Maryland surgical technologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level surgical technologist salary in Maryland?
How many surgical technologists are employed in Maryland?
Which Maryland 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 Maryland. State averages are employment-weighted across 27 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