Surgical Technologist Salary in Portsmouth, NH: $70,155 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Portsmouth, NH earns a median $70,155/year (≈ $33.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Portsmouth's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.3), that paycheck buys what $65,382 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the New Hampshire state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Portsmouth, NH, the projected median annual salary for surgical technologists in 2026 stands at $70,155, reflecting a local job market that is slightly more lucrative than the national average of $68,141. The salary range for this role in the area spans from $52,723 at the 10th percentile to $96,578 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a diverse compensation landscape. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic factors, underscore the various opportunities available in Portsmouth's healthcare settings. Surgical technologists in this city can find employment opportunities in hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical units, each offering different salary levels based on the type of procedures and facilities involved in patient care.
About the Portsmouth Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,723 | $25.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,500 | $29.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,155 | $33.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,935 | $39.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,578 | $46.43 |
Median Salary Position
2.96% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portsmouth
In Portsmouth, NH, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,855 (2026 est.). At $70,155, the local median is 2.96% above the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portsmouth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portsmouth Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Portsmouth median: $70,155/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portsmouth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $73,078 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | +2.96% more |
Surgical Technologists in Portsmouth, NH earn a median of $70,155 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.96% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 4.00% below the New Hampshire state average of $73,078.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portsmouth has a cost of living 7.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portsmouth, NH has a cost-of-living index of 107.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $70,155 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $65,382 — a 6.8% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,620
2025 BLS Actual
$66,561
2026 Current Est.
$70,155
2019–2027 Growth
+30.6%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Portsmouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,620 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,120 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,340 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,774 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,561 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,155 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,944 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portsmouth metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 17.6% from $56,620 (2019) to $66,561 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,944 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,324 (30.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portsmouth 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) | $52,723 – $60,500 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,500 – $70,155 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,155 – $82,935 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,935 – $96,578 |
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 Portsmouth
With only five surgical technologists currently employed in Portsmouth, the local job market reflects both a niche environment and potential for growth. Given that the cost of living index is 107.3—indicating a higher-than-average living expense—surgical technologist pay in Portsmouth NH must take purchasing power into account. Facilities that typically provide higher salaries include specialty surgical centers focusing on areas like cardiovascular and neurosurgery, which command premium wages due to the complexity of procedures. Factors such as call coverage requirements, robotic surgery certification, and travel surgical tech rates also contribute to the wide spread in salaries. To maximize earnings in Portsmouth, pursuing certification as a surgical first assistant or gaining experience in high-demand subspecialties can significantly enhance a surgical technologist’s appeal to potential employers.
More salary data for Portsmouth, NH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Portsmouth, NH in 2026?
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Can surgical technologists make $100K in Portsmouth?
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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 $66,561 for surgical technologistsin the Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth 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