Surgical Technologist Salary in Plainfield, NJ: $78,351 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Plainfield, NJ earns a median $78,351/year (≈ $37.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Plainfield's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $68,013 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Surgical technologists in Plainfield, NJ, can expect a median annual salary of $78,351 in 2026, reflecting a remarkable 14.98% premium compared to the national average of $68,141. This local salary range stretches from $53,535 at the 10th percentile to $120,863 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the significant earnings potential for those with specialized skills. Based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, these estimates take into account regional price adjustments and the local demand for surgical technologists, particularly in high-stakes environments such as cardiovascular and neurosurgery. In Plainfield, the growing sector for surgical services suggests a competitive market for skilled professionals, especially as advancements in surgical technology create new opportunities.
About the Plainfield Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,535 | $25.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,329 | $30.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,351 | $37.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,324 | $45.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,863 | $58.11 |
Median Salary Position
14.98% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Plainfield
In Plainfield, NJ, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,328 (2026 est.). At $78,351, the local median is 14.98% above the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Plainfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Plainfield Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Plainfield median: $78,351/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Plainfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $78,508 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | +14.98% more |
Surgical Technologists in Plainfield, NJ earn a median of $78,351 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.98% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 0.20% below the New Jersey state average of $78,508.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Plainfield has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Plainfield, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $78,351 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $68,013 — a 13.19% reduction.
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
$55,537
2025 BLS Actual
$74,337
2026 Current Est.
$78,351
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Plainfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,537 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,158 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,802 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,345 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,692 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,290 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,337 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,351 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,582 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Plainfield metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $55,537 (2019) to $74,337 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,582 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,045 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plainfield 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) | $53,535 – $64,329 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,329 – $78,351 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,351 – $94,324 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,324 – $120,863 |
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 Plainfield
The local job market for surgical technologists in Plainfield is relatively modest, with only 10 professionals employed in the area, yet the potential for lucrative salaries remains strong given the cost-of-living index of 115.2. This figure indicates that living expenses are higher than the national average, influencing the actual earning power of surgical technologists. Employers in hospital operating rooms and specialized surgical centers, particularly those focused on orthopedic and cardiovascular procedures, tend to offer the most competitive salaries. Factors affecting pay disparities include the demand for specialty certifications, such as robotic surgery proficiency, call coverage requirements, and the premium for roles like surgical first assistants. To maximize pay in Plainfield, surgical technologists should consider pursuing advanced certifications and gaining experience in high-demand specialties, enabling them to negotiate better compensation packages and enhance career advancement opportunities.
More salary data for Plainfield, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Plainfield, NJ in 2026?
Is Plainfield, NJ a good place to work as a surgical technologist?
Can surgical technologists make $100K in Plainfield?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted surgical technologist salary in Plainfield?
How much does a surgical technologist make per hour in Plainfield?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Jersey
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 $74,337 for surgical technologistsin the Plainfield 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 Plainfield 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