Surgical Technologist Salary in Scottsbluff, NE: $59,835 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Scottsbluff, NE earns a median $59,835/year (≈ $28.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Scottsbluff's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $65,393 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, surgical technologists in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, can expect a median annual salary of $59,835, which is notable when compared to the national median of $68,141. The local salary range spans from $43,191 at the 10th percentile to $82,568 at the 90th percentile, reflecting varying levels of experience and specialization. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, this salary level suggests a robust local market for surgical technologists, albeit slightly below the national standard, indicating unique regional factors affecting compensation. As specialists in the field, surgical technologists focusing on cardiovascular or neurosurgery can command higher pay premiums, enhancing their earning potential significantly in Scottsbluff's healthcare landscape.
About the Scottsbluff Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,191 | $20.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,964 | $25.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,835 | $28.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,723 | $34.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,568 | $39.69 |
Median Salary Position
12.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Scottsbluff
In Scottsbluff, NE, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,377 (2026 est.). At $59,835, the local median is 12.19% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Scottsbluff: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Scottsbluff Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Scottsbluff median: $59,835/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Scottsbluff Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $62,328 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -12.19% less |
Surgical Technologists in Scottsbluff, NE earn a median of $59,835 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.19% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 4.00% below the Nebraska state average of $62,328.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Scottsbluff has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Scottsbluff, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $59,835 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,393 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$42,412
2025 BLS Actual
$56,769
2026 Current Est.
$59,835
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Scottsbluff (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,412 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,650 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,614 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,138 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,221 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,417 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,769 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,835 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,066 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Scottsbluff metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $42,412 (2019) to $56,769 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,066 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,654 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Scottsbluff 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) | $43,191 – $53,964 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,964 – $59,835 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,835 – $70,723 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,723 – $82,568 |
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 Scottsbluff
With a modest employment base of only four surgical technologists in the area, the Scottsbluff market shows an intriguing dynamic in terms of job opportunities and compensation. The cost of living index of 91.5 points to an environment where take-home purchasing power can stretch further than in many other regions. Local employers in hospital operating rooms and specialty surgical centers, particularly those focusing on areas such as orthopedic and cardiothoracic surgery, tend to offer the highest wages. Factors that contribute to the wide compensation range include specializations, call coverage requirements, and certifications in robotic surgery. For those looking to maximize surgical technologist pay in Scottsbluff, pursuing advanced certifications, such as becoming a Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA), and seeking roles in high-demand surgical specialties are actionable strategies that could yield significant financial benefits.
More salary data for Scottsbluff, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Scottsbluff, NE in 2026?
Is Scottsbluff, NE a good place to work as a surgical technologist?
Can surgical technologists make $100K in Scottsbluff?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted surgical technologist salary in Scottsbluff?
How much does a surgical technologist make per hour in Scottsbluff?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Nebraska
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 $56,769 for surgical technologistsin the Scottsbluff 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 Scottsbluff 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