Surgical Technologist Salary in Tulsa, OK: $62,787 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Tulsa, OK earns a median $62,787/year (≈ $30.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Tulsa's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.2), that paycheck buys what $70,378 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% above the Oklahoma state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Tulsa, Oklahoma, surgical technologists can expect a median annual salary of $62,787 in 2026, indicating a competitive position within the healthcare field. The salary range varies significantly, with the lowest 10% earning around $53,143 and the highest 90% making up to $76,426. This data, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, reflects the diverse employment opportunities in hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical units that make up the local healthcare ecosystem. As the demand for skilled surgical technologists continues to rise, particularly in specialized areas, Tulsa presents a promising job market for those in this vital profession.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,143 | $25.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,567 | $26.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,787 | $30.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,982 | $32.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,426 | $36.74 |
Median Salary Position
7.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tulsa
In Tulsa, OK, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,283 (2026 est.). At $62,787, the local median is 7.86% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tulsa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tulsa Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Tulsa median: $62,787/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tulsa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Average | $60,605 | +3.60% more |
| National Average | $68,141 | -7.86% less |
Surgical Technologists in Tulsa, OK earn a median of $62,787 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.86% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 3.60% above the Oklahoma state average of $60,605.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tulsa has a cost of living 10.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tulsa, OK has a cost-of-living index of 89.214 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $62,787 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,378 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.09% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,270
2025 BLS Actual
$59,570
2026 Current Est.
$62,787
2019–2027 Growth
+72.9%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Tulsa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,220 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,130 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,740 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,570 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,787 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,177 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tulsa metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 55.7% from $38,270 (2019) to $59,570 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,177 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,907 (72.92%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tulsa 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) | $53,143 – $55,567 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,567 – $62,787 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,787 – $66,982 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,982 – $76,426 |
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 Tulsa
With approximately 560 surgical technologists employed in the area, Tulsa's job market demonstrates a stable and growing demand for these healthcare professionals. The cost-of-living index in Tulsa stands at 89.214, which is below the national average, allowing for improved purchasing power for surgical technologists. Among the various employers, hospital operating rooms tend to offer the highest pay, followed closely by surgical centers specializing in orthopedic and cardiovascular procedures. The variation in pay can be attributed to factors such as specialty certification, the need for on-call duties, and roles that require advanced training like surgical first assistants. To maximize earning potential in Tulsa, surgical technologists should consider obtaining certifications in robotic surgery and pursue positions in higher-need surgical specialties, ultimately enhancing their marketability and compensation.
More salary data for Tulsa, OK:
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 $59,570 for surgical technologistsin the Tulsa 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