Surgical Technologist Salary in Taos, NM: $59,177 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Taos, NM earns a median $59,177/year (≈ $28.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Taos's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $62,687 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.0% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Taos, New Mexico, surgical technologists can expect to earn a median annual salary of $59,177 in 2026, which reflects considerable variation depending on experience and specialty. The full salary range for this role spans from $45,077 at the 10th percentile to as high as $82,524 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors, particularly important in a unique market like Taos. Notably, surgical technologists with specialization in cardiovascular or neurosurgery tend to command higher wages, significantly impacting overall compensation in the area and indicating strong potential for growth within these lucrative subspecialties.
About the Taos Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,077 | $21.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,612 | $24.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,177 | $28.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,480 | $33.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,524 | $39.67 |
Median Salary Position
13.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Taos
In Taos, NM, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,447 (2026 est.). At $59,177, the local median is 13.16% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Taos: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Taos Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Taos median: $59,177/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Taos Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $64,323 | -8.00% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -13.16% less |
Surgical Technologists in Taos, NM earn a median of $59,177 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.16% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 8.00% below the New Mexico state average of $64,323.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Taos has a cost of living 5.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Taos, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $59,177 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,687 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,946
2025 BLS Actual
$56,145
2026 Current Est.
$59,177
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Taos (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,946 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,170 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,146 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,598 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,636 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,633 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,145 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,177 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,372 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Taos metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $41,946 (2019) to $56,145 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,372 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,426 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Taos 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) | $45,077 – $51,612 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,612 – $59,177 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,177 – $70,480 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,480 – $82,524 |
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 Taos
Examining the local job market, only four surgical technologists are currently employed in Taos, indicating a niche opportunity within a smaller community context. The cost of living in this area, with an index of 94.4, is below the national average, which can positively influence take-home pay. Among local employers, hospital operating rooms and specialty surgical centers—particularly those focusing on cardiovascular and neuro procedures—typically offer the highest salaries. The notable wage disparity between the lower and higher ends of the scale can be attributed to factors like specialty, demand for certifications such as robotic surgery, and call coverage requirements. For surgical technologists in Taos, pursuing additional certifications like the CST or CSFA, and seeking employment in trauma or specialty centers could enhance earning potential, making this a pivotal strategy in achieving higher salaries.
More salary data for Taos, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can surgical technologists make $100K in Taos?
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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 $56,145 for surgical technologistsin the Taos 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 Taos 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