Surgical Technologist Salary in Boston, MA: $85,901 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Boston, MA earns a median $85,901/year (≈ $41.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Boston's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 108.3), that paycheck buys what $79,343 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% above the Massachusetts state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The 2026 median annual surgical technologist salary in Boston is projected to be $85,901, significantly higher than the anticipated national median of $68,141. This local compensation reflects a competitive edge, as Boston's salary range spans from $65,021 at the lower tenth percentile to $122,622 at the ninetieth percentile. Factors such as the increasing integration of robotic surgery into healthcare settings have influenced these numbers, as credentials in robotic surgery can provide a notable salary boost. With these figures derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, the market shows promise for those eager to step into surgical technology roles within the city, especially amid a growing demand for skilled professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,021 | $31.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,029 | $38.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,901 | $41.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,957 | $50.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122,622 | $58.96 |
Median Salary Position
26.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boston
In Boston, MA, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,601 (2026 est.). At $85,901, the local median is 26.06% above the national median of $68,141.
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At 40 hours/week in Boston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Boston Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Boston median: $85,901/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $82,756 | +3.80% more |
| National Average | $68,141 | +26.06% more |
Surgical Technologists in Boston, MA earn a median of $85,901 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.06% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 3.80% above the Massachusetts state average of $82,756.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boston has a cost of living 8.27% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Boston, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.266 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $85,901 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $79,343 — a 7.63% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,520
2025 BLS Actual
$81,500
2026 Current Est.
$85,901
2019–2027 Growth
+60.2%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Boston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,520 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,920 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,540 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,290 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,520 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,500 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,901 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,540 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boston metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 44.2% from $56,520 (2019) to $81,500 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,540 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,020 (60.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boston 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) | $65,021 – $79,029 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,029 – $85,901 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,901 – $104,957 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,957 – $122,622 |
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 Boston
In Boston, there are approximately 1,550 surgical technologists, marking a robust local job market. However, the area's cost of living index stands at 108.266, meaning that while salaries are competitive, expenses are also above the national average. The highest-paying employers include hospital operating rooms, specialty surgical centers like orthopedic and cardiothoracic facilities, and ambulatory surgery centers. The variability in pay across the profession is driven by factors such as specialty areas, with cardiovascular and neurosurgery roles commanding higher wages compared to general surgery. Additionally, opportunities for perks such as call coverage, robotic surgery stipends, and travel surgical tech assignments can enhance overall compensation. For those looking to maximize their surgical technologist pay in Boston, pursuing specialty certifications and gaining experience in high-demand areas may provide a significant advantage.
More salary data for Boston, MA:
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 $81,500 for surgical technologistsin the Boston 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, 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