Surgical Technologist Salary in Trenton, NJ: $74,423 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Trenton, NJ earns a median $74,423/year (≈ $35.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Trenton's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $72,129 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the New Jersey state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Trenton, New Jersey, surgical technologists are projected to earn a median annual salary of $74,423 by 2026, which is notably above the national average of $68,141. The designated salary range spans from $56,684 at the 10th percentile to $95,187 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse earning potential dependent on specialization and experience. This information comes from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, and highlights how those in specialized fields like cardiovascular and neurosurgery can command higher wages. This premium for specialty training continues to shape the job market in Trenton as healthcare facilities seek to attract skilled professionals in high-demand areas.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,684 | $27.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,103 | $30.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,423 | $35.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,361 | $40.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,187 | $45.76 |
Median Salary Position
9.22% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Trenton
In Trenton, NJ, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,503 (2026 est.). At $74,423, the local median is 9.22% above the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Trenton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Trenton Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Trenton median: $74,423/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Trenton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $78,505 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | +9.22% more |
Surgical Technologists in Trenton, NJ earn a median of $74,423 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.22% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 5.20% below the New Jersey state average of $78,505.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Trenton has a cost of living 3.18% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Trenton, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 103.18 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $74,423 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,129 — a 3.08% 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
$54,360
2025 BLS Actual
$70,610
2026 Current Est.
$74,423
2019–2027 Growth
+44.3%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Trenton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,810 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,470 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,610 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,423 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,442 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Trenton metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 29.9% from $54,360 (2019) to $70,610 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,442 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,082 (44.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Trenton 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) | $56,684 – $63,103 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,103 – $74,423 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,423 – $83,361 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,361 – $95,187 |
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 Trenton
The local job market for surgical technologists shows promising strength, with around 150 professionals currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living index in Trenton sits at 103.18, slightly above the national average, which can impact take-home pay for surgical technologists. Employers across hospital operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical centers typically offer the most competitive salaries, especially for positions in orthopedic, ophthalmology, and cardiothoracic fields. Variability in compensation can be influenced by factors such as experience in robotic surgery, call coverage responsibilities, or serving as a surgical first assistant. For those looking to maximize their salary in Trenton, pursuing certifications like the CST or additional training in specialized areas such as trauma care or robotic-assisted procedures can enhance marketability and result in higher pay brackets.
More salary data for Trenton, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Trenton, NJ in 2026?
Is Trenton, NJ a good place to work as a surgical technologist?
Can surgical technologists make $100K in Trenton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted surgical technologist salary in Trenton?
How much does a surgical technologist make per hour in Trenton?
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 $70,610 for surgical technologistsin the Trenton 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). 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