Surgical Technologist Salary in New Jersey: $76,464 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across New Jersey's 61 metropolitan areas, the average median surgical technologist pay sits at $76,464/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2055. Because New Jersey sits at BEA RPP 115.2 (15% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $66,375 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Jersey City ($85,563), Newark ($84,244), East Orange ($75,505).

Surgical Technologist Salary in New Jersey - 2025 BLS Data Infographic — New Jersey surgical technologist salary overview (2026)

$76,464

Avg Median Salary

$36.76

Avg Hourly Rate

1,124

Metro Employed

Cities

The landscape for surgical technologists in New Jersey shows a median salary of $76,463 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $68,141 by 12.2%. This difference reflects the higher cost of living and demand for skilled healthcare professionals in the state. Jersey City leads with the highest salary at $90,183, while Atlantic City offers the lowest at $66,666, presenting a salary gap of $23,517. Factors driving this disparity include the concentration of healthcare facilities and the cost of living in urban areas compared to less populated regions. New Jersey has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that ensure surgical technologists are well-prepared for their roles. The demand for these professionals is bolstered by a projected annual growth rate of 5.40%, indicating a steady expansion in job opportunities across the state. With 1,124 surgical technologists employed in New Jersey, cities like Newark at $88,793, East Orange at $79,582, Franklin at $79,582, and Woodbridge at $79,560 demonstrate a variety of salary levels based on local factors. Understanding these dynamics can help those considering a career as a surgical technologist make informed decisions about their job prospects and earning potential in New Jersey.

New Jersey Surgical Technologist Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)

$53,876

avg across 61 cities

Median

$76,464

state average

Top Earners (90th %ile)

$110,426

avg across 61 cities

Overall salary range in New Jersey: $41,064 (lowest entry-level) to $138,299 (highest top earner)

New Jersey vs National Average

New Jersey

$76,464

National Median

$68,141

New Jersey surgical technologists earn 12.21% more than the national median (+$8,323/year difference).

New Jersey Surgical Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)

Surgical Technologist salaries in New Jersey range from $53,876 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $110,426 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $76,464. The New Jersey median is $8,323 above the US national median of $68,141. The average hourly rate is $36.76/hr. Approximately 1,124 surgical technologists are employed across 61 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$56,950

2025 BLS Actual

$72,546

2026 Current Est.

$76,464

2019–2027 Growth

+41.5%

Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in New Jersey (2019–2027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected

Year	Annual Salary	Status
2019	$56,950	Actual
2020	$56,535	Actual
2021	$59,402	Actual
2022	$63,321	Actual
2023	$63,910	Actual
2024	$69,250	Actual
2025	$72,546	Actual
2026(current)	$76,464	Estimated
2027	$80,593	Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Jersey metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 27.4% from $56,950 (2019) to $72,546 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,593 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,643 (41.52%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Jersey 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 New Jersey

Jersey City

42 employed · $43.36/hr

$90,183

+17.94% vs avg

Newark

61 employed · $42.69/hr

$88,793

+16.12% vs avg

East Orange

9 employed · $38.26/hr

$79,582

+4.08% vs avg

Franklin

15 employed · $38.26/hr

$79,582

+4.08% vs avg

Woodbridge

25 employed · $38.25/hr

$79,560

+4.05% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in New Jersey

City	Median Salary	vs State Avg	Hourly
Atlantic City	$66,666	-12.81%	$32.05
Camden	$71,658	-6.29%	$34.46
Summit	$73,154	-4.33%	$35.17
Rahway	$74,259	-2.88%	$35.70
Trenton	$74,423	-2.67%	$35.78

Best Value Cities for Surgical Technologists in New Jersey

When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Jersey cities offer the most purchasing power for surgical technologists.

City	Nominal Salary	CoL Index	Adjusted Salary
Jersey City	$90,183	115.2	$78,284
Newark	$88,793	115.2	$77,077
Trenton	$74,423	103.18	$72,129
East Orange	$79,582	115.2	$69,082
Franklin	$79,582	115.2	$69,082

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in New Jersey

Experience Level	Estimated Annual	Est. Hourly	Description
Entry Level (0-2 years)	$53,876	$25.90	10th percentile, new graduates
Mid Career (3-7 years)	$76,464	$36.76	50th percentile, median salary
Experienced (7+ years)	$110,426	$53.09	90th percentile, top earners

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New Jersey metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 61 Cities in New Jersey

#	City	Median Salary	Hourly	Entry (P10)	Top (P90)	Employed
1	Jersey City	$90,183	$43.36	$59,917	$138,299	42
2	Newark	$88,793	$42.69	$57,217	$137,629	61
3	East Orange	$79,582	$38.26	$56,719	$117,325	9
4	Franklin	$79,582	$38.26	$56,719	$117,122	15
5	Woodbridge	$79,560	$38.25	$53,026	$123,318	25
6	Parsippany-Troy Hills	$79,445	$38.20	$53,754	$116,843	8
7	Union	$79,246	$38.10	$55,607	$116,144	15
8	Elizabeth	$79,218	$38.08	$58,156	$122,787	25
9	Brick	$79,053	$38.01	$55,158	$118,354	18
10	Gloucester Township	$78,830	$37.90	$54,638	$114,689	10
11	New Brunswick	$78,799	$37.88	$54,890	$117,254	8
12	Vineland	$78,668	$37.82	$54,588	$114,127	11
13	Howell	$78,538	$37.75	$54,285	$121,327	11
14	Paterson	$78,443	$37.71	$56,701	$120,416	31
15	Plainfield	$78,351	$37.67	$53,535	$120,863	10
16	Irvington	$78,233	$37.62	$53,504	$120,193	10
17	West New York	$78,115	$37.55	$53,233	$114,862	10
18	Piscataway	$78,059	$37.53	$53,186	$119,825	14
19	Jackson	$78,015	$37.51	$52,765	$114,714	10
20	Lakewood	$77,885	$37.45	$55,437	$120,722	31
21	West Orange	$77,840	$37.43	$56,967	$113,609	11
22	Montclair	$77,724	$37.36	$56,359	$110,653	10
23	Washington Township	$77,603	$37.31	$56,066	$112,986	12
24	Old Bridge	$77,574	$37.29	$58,207	$117,914	17
25	Edison	$77,454	$37.24	$54,470	$119,606	20
26	Union City	$77,418	$37.22	$57,922	$117,566	17
27	Toms River	$77,393	$37.21	$57,864	$112,562	17
28	Bridgewater	$77,305	$37.16	$55,351	$109,228	10
29	Middletown	$77,281	$37.15	$57,601	$112,177	15
30	Clifton	$77,045	$37.04	$57,051	$119,070	14
31	South Brunswick	$76,908	$36.97	$54,732	$115,353	7
32	Berkeley	$76,902	$36.97	$54,393	$115,331	7
33	Perth Amboy	$76,890	$36.96	$56,690	$115,719	13
34	Wayne	$76,865	$36.95	$56,632	$115,631	10
35	Linden	$76,853	$36.95	$54,602	$110,237	7
36	Passaic	$76,834	$36.94	$56,561	$118,326	18
37	East Brunswick	$76,805	$36.92	$54,487	$114,804	8
38	Bloomfield	$76,642	$36.85	$56,114	$114,853	11
39	Long Branch	$76,591	$36.83	$53,981	$114,259	8
40	Westfield	$76,378	$36.72	$53,155	$108,820	7
41	Hamilton	$76,299	$36.68	$55,249	$113,461	21
42	Sayreville	$76,275	$36.67	$53,234	$112,981	9
43	Cherry Hill	$76,262	$36.67	$54,928	$113,540	11
44	North Bergen	$76,125	$36.59	$54,927	$112,874	13
45	Hoboken	$76,057	$36.56	$52,473	$112,638	15
46	Kearny	$75,940	$36.51	$58,633	$111,790	11
47	Princeton	$75,903	$36.49	$55,249	$107,742	6
48	Manalapan	$75,873	$36.48	$58,471	$111,610	8
49	Bayonne	$75,796	$36.44	$54,176	$114,703	16
50	Manchester	$75,623	$36.35	$57,630	$113,625	9
51	Moorestown	$75,326	$36.22	$56,620	$103,753	4
52	Hackensack	$75,324	$36.22	$57,233	$109,750	8
53	Marlboro	$74,934	$36.03	$56,225	$108,438	9
54	Mount Laurel	$74,879	$36.00	$56,095	$108,253	11
55	Egg Harbor	$74,697	$35.91	$55,741	$107,827	8
56	Evesham	$74,587	$35.86	$55,483	$107,461	12
57	Trenton	$74,423	$35.78	$56,684	$95,187	150
58	Rahway	$74,259	$35.70	$54,630	$108,762	9
59	Summit	$73,154	$35.17	$57,626	$103,764	5
60	Camden	$71,658	$34.46	$51,310	$108,371	16
61	Atlantic City	$66,666	$32.05	$41,064	$84,731	160

More New Jersey Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore surgical technologist hourly pay in New Jersey cities.

Jersey City →Newark →East Orange →

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new surgical technologists.

Jersey City →Newark →East Orange →

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced surgical technologists.

Jersey City →Newark →East Orange →

Explore More Surgical Technologist Salary Data

National OverviewMedian salary & full US data Entry-Level SalariesStarting pay & new grad earnings Hourly Pay RatesPer-hour rates & part-time income Highest Paying StatesTop states ranked by salary

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do surgical technologists make in New Jersey in 2026?

The average median surgical technologist salary in New Jersey is $76,464/year across 61 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $66,666 in Atlantic City to $90,183 in Jersey City. This makes New Jersey one of the higher-paying states, at 12.21% above the national median of $68,141. The state employs approximately 1,124 surgical technologists.

What is the highest paying city for surgical technologists in New Jersey?

Jersey City offers the highest surgical technologist salary in New Jersey at $90,183/year ($43.36/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Jersey City ($90,183), Newark ($88,793), East Orange ($79,582). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for surgical services services, and competition among employers for licensed surgical technologists.

How does New Jersey surgical technologist pay compare to the national average?

New Jersey's average surgical technologist salary of $76,464 is 12.21% above the national median of $68,141 in 2026. The state employs approximately 1,124 surgical technologists across 61 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level surgical technologist salary in New Jersey?

Entry-level surgical technologists (10th percentile) in New Jersey earn approximately $53,876/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $41,064 in lower-paying areas to $59,917 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many surgical technologists are employed in New Jersey?

New Jersey employs approximately 1,124 surgical technologists across 61 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. Job availability varies by metro area, with larger cities offering more opportunities. Demand continues to grow as the surgical services field expands and the population ages.

Which New Jersey city offers the best value for surgical technologists?

When adjusted for cost of living, Jersey City offers the highest purchasing power for surgical technologists in New Jersey, with an adjusted salary of $78,284 (nominal: $90,183, CoL index: 115.2). This means your dollar goes 13% less far compared to the national average, making it important to negotiate higher base pay.

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.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Ramirez, AAS, CSTData verified by Fatima Ali, BS, CST

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 New Jersey. State averages are employment-weighted across 61 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 (2019–2025). 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

Last verified: June 10, 2026

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