Surgical Technologist Salary in Ohio: $65,880 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Ohio's 67 metropolitan areas, the average median surgical technologist pay sits at $65,880/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2055. Because Ohio sits at BEA RPP 90.7 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $72,635 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Beavercreek ($64,741), Dayton ($64,640), Columbus ($64,120).
In Ohio, surgical technologist salaries are projected to average $65,880 in 2026, which is slightly lower than the national median of $68,141, reflecting a difference of -3.3%. The highest salaries can be found in Beavercreek at $68,237, while the lowest are in Solon at $60,184, resulting in a salary gap of $8,053. This discrepancy may be influenced by factors such as the cost of living, demand for medical services in different regions, and local healthcare facility funding. Ohio has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that shape the landscape for surgical technologists. A growing demand for surgical procedures and a healthcare workforce projected to increase by an annual compound growth rate of 5.40% positions the job market favorably. Among the top cities for surgical technologists in 2026 are Dayton at $68,131, Columbus at $67,582, Kettering at $67,213, and Cincinnati at $66,876. Understanding these dynamics can help aspiring surgical technologists make informed decisions about their career paths within the state.
Ohio Surgical Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Ohio: $36,637 (lowest entry-level) to $103,218 (highest top earner)
Ohio vs National Average
Ohio surgical technologists earn 3.32% less than the national median ($-2,261/year difference).
Ohio Surgical Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Surgical Technologist salaries in Ohio range from $49,866 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $87,606 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $65,880. The Ohio median is $2,261 below the US national median of $68,141. The average hourly rate is $31.68/hr. Approximately 3,561 surgical technologists are employed across 67 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$47,478
2025 BLS Actual
$62,505
2026 Current Est.
$65,880
2019–2027 Growth
+46.3%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Ohio (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,478 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,487 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,062 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,154 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,248 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,505 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,880 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,437 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ohio metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 31.6% from $47,478 (2019) to $62,505 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,437 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,959 (46.25%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ohio 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Ohio
Lowest Paying Cities in Ohio
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Solon | $60,184 |
| Centerville | $60,194 |
| Avon Lake | $60,327 |
| Wadsworth | $60,372 |
| Tiffin | $60,421 |
Best Value Cities for Surgical Technologists in Ohio
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Ohio cities offer the most purchasing power for surgical technologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beavercreek | $68,237 | 90.7 | $75,234 |
| Kettering | $67,213 | 90.7 | $74,105 |
| Dayton | $68,131 | 92.694 | $73,501 |
| Lorain | $66,191 | 90.7 | $72,978 |
| Springfield | $66,067 | 90.7 | $72,841 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Ohio
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $49,866 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $65,880 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $87,606 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Ohio metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 67 Cities in Ohio
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beavercreek | $68,237 |
| 2 | Dayton | $68,131 |
| 3 | Columbus | $67,582 |
| 4 | Kettering | $67,213 |
| 5 | Cincinnati | $66,876 |
| 6 | Lorain | $66,191 |
| 7 | Springfield | $66,067 |
| 8 | Parma | $66,010 |
| 9 | Toledo | $65,843 |
| 10 | Cuyahoga Falls | $65,740 |
| 11 | Hamilton | $65,512 |
| 12 | Cleveland | $65,485 |
| 13 | Lakewood | $65,154 |
| 14 | Sandusky | $65,078 |
| 15 | Bowling Green | $65,068 |
| 16 | Lancaster | $65,048 |
| 17 | Zanesville | $65,042 |
| 18 | Westlake | $64,931 |
| 19 | Middletown | $64,905 |
| 20 | Lima | $64,842 |
| 21 | Grove City | $64,718 |
| 22 | Delaware | $64,666 |
| 23 | Gahanna | $64,657 |
| 24 | Westerville | $64,615 |
| 25 | Huber Heights | $64,463 |
| 26 | North Ridgeville | $64,412 |
| 27 | North Royalton | $64,320 |
| 28 | North Olmsted | $64,092 |
| 29 | Reynoldsburg | $63,980 |
| 30 | Strongsville | $63,767 |
| 31 | Mansfield | $63,701 |
| 32 | Brunswick | $63,371 |
| 33 | Wooster | $63,371 |
| 34 | Canton | $63,366 |
| 35 | Elyria | $63,272 |
| 36 | Akron | $63,251 |
| 37 | Shaker Heights | $63,143 |
| 38 | Medina | $63,101 |
| 39 | Dublin | $62,897 |
| 40 | Fairfield | $62,893 |
| 41 | Mentor | $62,827 |
| 42 | Mason | $62,553 |
| 43 | Massillon | $62,507 |
| 44 | Avon | $62,475 |
| 45 | Marion | $62,380 |
| 46 | Stow | $62,375 |
| 47 | Newark | $62,339 |
| 48 | Findlay | $62,272 |
| 49 | Green | $62,177 |
| 50 | Barberton | $62,177 |
| 51 | Austintown | $62,151 |
| 52 | Cleveland Heights | $62,141 |
| 53 | Upper Arlington | $62,060 |
| 54 | Xenia | $62,060 |
| 55 | Hilliard | $61,984 |
| 56 | Oxford | $61,790 |
| 57 | Chillicothe | $61,657 |
| 58 | Perrysburg | $61,430 |
| 59 | Trotwood | $61,410 |
| 60 | Warren | $61,260 |
| 61 | Youngstown | $61,111 |
| 62 | Athens | $60,761 |
| 63 | Tiffin | $60,421 |
| 64 | Wadsworth | $60,372 |
| 65 | Avon Lake | $60,327 |
| 66 | Centerville | $60,194 |
| 67 | Solon | $60,184 |
More Ohio Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced surgical technologists.
Compare Cities in Ohio
View all comparisons →Explore More Surgical Technologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Ohio in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for surgical technologists in Ohio?
How does Ohio surgical technologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level surgical technologist salary in Ohio?
How many surgical technologists are employed in Ohio?
Which Ohio city offers the best value for surgical technologists?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.40% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 surgical technologist compensation across Ohio. State averages are employment-weighted across 67 metro areas — larger metro areas with more surgical technologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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