Surgical Technologist Salary in Union City, NJ: $77,418 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Union City, NJ earns a median $77,418/year (≈ $37.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Union City's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $67,203 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Surgical technologists in Union City, NJ, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $77,418 in 2026, which is approximately 13.61% higher than the national median of $68,141 for the same year. The salary range for this role spans from $57,922 at the 10th percentile to $117,566 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying levels of experience and specialization. Based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, these figures take into account local economic conditions and regional cost adjustments that characterize the job market in Union City. For surgical technologists specializing in cardiovascular or neurosurgery, salaries can significantly increase, as these specialties command premium pay compared to more general surgical roles.
About the Union City Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,922 | $27.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,093 | $32.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,418 | $37.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,731 | $46.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,566 | $56.53 |
Median Salary Position
13.61% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Union City
In Union City, NJ, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,644 (2026 est.). At $77,418, the local median is 13.61% above the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Union City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Union City Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Union City median: $77,418/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Union City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $78,518 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | +13.61% more |
Surgical Technologists in Union City, NJ earn a median of $77,418 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.61% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 1.40% below the New Jersey state average of $78,518.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Union City has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Union City, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,418 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $67,203 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,876
2025 BLS Actual
$73,452
2026 Current Est.
$77,418
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Union City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,876 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,478 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,137 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,579 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,862 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,441 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,452 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,418 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,599 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Union City metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $54,876 (2019) to $73,452 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,599 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,723 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Union City 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) | $57,922 – $67,093 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,093 – $77,418 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,418 – $96,731 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,731 – $117,566 |
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 Union City
In Union City, there are currently 17 surgical technologists employed, showcasing a competitive yet stable job market for this profession. However, the cost of living is slightly elevated, with a cost-of-living index of 115.2, which influences take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, hospital operating rooms and specialty surgical centers, particularly those focusing on orthopedics and cardiovascular procedures, tend to offer the highest pay. Factors that create salary variations include the level of specialization, call coverage requirements, certification in robotic surgery, and the additional responsibilities of surgical first assistants. To maximize earnings in this area, candidates should pursue certifications, such as the CST, and consider opportunities in high-demand areas like trauma centers or travel surgical tech positions, where pay rates can reflect the urgency and skill level required.
More salary data for Union City, 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 $73,452 for surgical technologistsin the Union City 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 Union City 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