Surgical Technologist Salary in Clifton, NJ: $77,045 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Clifton, NJ earns a median $77,045/year (≈ $37.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Clifton's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $66,879 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Surgical technologists in Clifton, New Jersey, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $77,045 in 2026, representing a notable 13.07% increase over the national median of $68,141. The salary range varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at $57,051 and experienced technologists reaching up to $119,070. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS estimates, adjusted for local cost of living considerations. Given the diverse healthcare landscape in Clifton, which includes hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), and specialty surgical facilities, opportunities for lucrative employment abound, especially for those with specialized skills.
About the Clifton Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,051 | $27.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,326 | $31.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,045 | $37.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,885 | $44.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119,070 | $57.24 |
Median Salary Position
13.07% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clifton
In Clifton, NJ, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,019 (2026 est.). At $77,045, the local median is 13.07% above the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Clifton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Clifton Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Clifton median: $77,045/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Clifton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $78,538 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | +13.07% more |
Surgical Technologists in Clifton, NJ earn a median of $77,045 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.07% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 1.90% below the New Jersey state average of $78,538.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Clifton has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Clifton, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,045 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $66,879 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,611
2025 BLS Actual
$73,098
2026 Current Est.
$77,045
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Clifton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,611 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,206 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,872 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,272 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,102 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,098 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,045 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,206 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Clifton metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $54,611 (2019) to $73,098 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,206 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,595 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clifton 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) | $57,051 – $66,326 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,326 – $77,045 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,045 – $92,885 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,885 – $119,070 |
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 Clifton
In Clifton, the job market for surgical technologists is relatively stable, with approximately 14 professionals employed in the area. However, the local cost of living index stands at 115.2, meaning that while salaries may be higher than national averages, the purchasing power could be affected by elevated living expenses. Facilities such as hospital operating rooms and specialized surgical units—particularly those focusing on complex areas like cardiovascular and neurosurgery—tend to offer the highest salaries. The salary disparity often stems from various factors, including specialty certifications like robotic surgery and the demands of call coverage for trauma cases. For those looking to maximize their surgical technologist pay in Clifton, pursuing advanced certifications, seeking out travel surgical tech assignments, and engaging in continuous professional development through organizations such as AST can provide significant advantages.
More salary data for Clifton, NJ:
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 $73,098 for surgical technologistsin the Clifton 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 Clifton 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