Surgical Technologist Salary in Omaha, NE: $68,563 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Omaha, NE earns a median $68,563/year (≈ $32.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Omaha's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.9), that paycheck buys what $74,597 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.0% above the Nebraska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Omaha's surgical technologists are projected to earn a median annual salary of $68,563 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $68,141. The full salary range for these professionals in the area shows considerable variation, with earnings estimated between $53,933 at the tenth percentile and $88,315 at the ninetieth percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights a growing trend in the market, particularly as robotic surgery certifications gain traction among employers looking for specialized skills. The demand for skilled surgical technologists aligns with advancements in surgical techniques, making it a promising time to pursue a career in this field within Omaha.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,933 | $25.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,978 | $30.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,563 | $32.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,021 | $38.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,315 | $42.46 |
Median Salary Position
0.62% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Omaha
In Omaha, NE, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,382 (2026 est.). At $68,563, the local median is 0.62% above the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Omaha: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Omaha Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Omaha median: $68,563/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Omaha Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $62,330 | +10.00% more |
| National Average | $68,141 | +0.62% more |
Surgical Technologists in Omaha, NE earn a median of $68,563 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.62% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 10.00% above the Nebraska state average of $62,330.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Omaha has a cost of living 8.09% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Omaha, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.911 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $68,563 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,597 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.8% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,170
2025 BLS Actual
$65,050
2026 Current Est.
$68,563
2019–2027 Growth
+50.0%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Omaha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,170 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,470 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,200 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,050 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,563 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,265 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Omaha metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 35.0% from $48,170 (2019) to $65,050 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,265 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,095 (50.02%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Omaha 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) | $53,933 – $63,978 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,978 – $68,563 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,563 – $81,021 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,021 – $88,315 |
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 Omaha
Examining the surgical technologist pay in Omaha, NE, reveals a job market where approximately 380 surgical technologists are currently employed, reflecting strong local demand. The cost-of-living index stands at 91.911, indicating that despite slightly elevated salaries, the purchasing power remains favorable for residents. Hospitals and specialized surgical centers such as orthopedic and cardiothoracic facilities generally offer higher compensation, driven by the complexity of procedures and required expertise. Factors like specialty experience, call coverage, and robotic surgery certifications significantly influence the pay scale, providing opportunities for those seeking to enhance their earnings through additional skills or certifications. To maximize compensation in Omaha, pursuing advanced training and focusing on high-demand specialties can markedly improve salary potential.
More salary data for Omaha, NE:
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 $65,050 for surgical technologistsin the Omaha 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