Surgical Technologist Salary in Pennsylvania: $69,142 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Pennsylvania's 24 metropolitan areas, the average median surgical technologist pay sits at $69,142/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2055. Because Pennsylvania sits at BEA RPP 97.4 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $70,988 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Philadelphia ($69,650), Bethlehem ($63,766), Scranton ($62,977).
In 2026, the average median salary for surgical technologists in Pennsylvania is projected to be $69,141, slightly above the national median of $68,141, reflecting a 1.5% advantage. The highest salaries can be found in Philadelphia, where wages are expected to reach $73,411, while Altoona stands at the lower end of the spectrum with $54,871. This $18,540 salary gap is influenced by various factors, including the cost of living, the concentration of healthcare facilities, and demand for surgical services in metropolitan versus rural areas. Pennsylvania has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that define the duties and responsibilities of surgical technologists. As the healthcare sector continues to expand, the demand for surgical services drives job opportunities, contributing to an anticipated annual growth rate of 5.40% for this occupation. With a total of 4,270 surgical technologists employed across the state, cities such as Bethlehem ($67,209), Scranton ($66,378), Lancaster ($66,065), and York ($66,054) also offer competitive salaries, reflecting regional healthcare needs. Overall, the job market outlook for surgical technologists in Pennsylvania remains strong as the demand for surgical services grows.
Pennsylvania Surgical Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Pennsylvania: $41,833 (lowest entry-level) to $99,127 (highest top earner)
Pennsylvania vs National Average
Pennsylvania surgical technologists earn 1.47% more than the national median (+$1,001/year difference).
Pennsylvania Surgical Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Surgical Technologist salaries in Pennsylvania range from $48,841 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $83,166 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $69,142. The Pennsylvania median is $1,001 above the US national median of $68,141. The average hourly rate is $33.25/hr. Approximately 4,270 surgical technologists are employed across 24 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,615
2025 BLS Actual
$65,599
2026 Current Est.
$69,142
2019–2027 Growth
+59.8%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Pennsylvania (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,615 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,957 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,829 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,050 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,635 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,612 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,599 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,142 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,875 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pennsylvania metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 43.8% from $45,615 (2019) to $65,599 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,875 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,260 (59.76%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
Lowest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Altoona | $54,871 |
| West Chester | $61,485 |
| Pottstown | $61,939 |
| Johnstown | $62,438 |
| State College | $62,627 |
Best Value Cities for Surgical Technologists in Pennsylvania
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Pennsylvania cities offer the most purchasing power for surgical technologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $73,411 | 102.554 | $71,583 |
| Erie | $63,704 | 90.95 | $70,043 |
| Pittsburgh | $65,738 | 94.671 | $69,438 |
| Bethlehem | $67,209 | 97.4 | $69,003 |
| York | $66,054 | 96 | $68,806 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Pennsylvania
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $48,841 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $69,142 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $83,166 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Pennsylvania metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 24 Cities in Pennsylvania
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $73,411 |
| 2 | Bethlehem | $67,209 |
| 3 | Scranton | $66,378 |
| 4 | Lancaster | $66,065 |
| 5 | York | $66,054 |
| 6 | Pittsburgh | $65,738 |
| 7 | Allentown | $65,612 |
| 8 | Harrisburg | $65,063 |
| 9 | Williamsport | $65,057 |
| 10 | Reading | $64,750 |
| 11 | Lebanon | $64,706 |
| 12 | Wilkes-Barre | $64,629 |
| 13 | Easton | $64,486 |
| 14 | Hazleton | $63,732 |
| 15 | Erie | $63,704 |
| 16 | Norristown | $63,610 |
| 17 | Chester | $63,462 |
| 18 | New Castle | $62,833 |
| 19 | Chambersburg | $62,798 |
| 20 | State College | $62,627 |
| 21 | Johnstown | $62,438 |
| 22 | Pottstown | $61,939 |
| 23 | West Chester | $61,485 |
| 24 | Altoona | $54,871 |
More Pennsylvania Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore surgical technologist hourly pay in Pennsylvania cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced surgical technologists.
Compare Cities in Pennsylvania
View all comparisons →Explore More Surgical Technologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Pennsylvania in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for surgical technologists in Pennsylvania?
How does Pennsylvania surgical technologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level surgical technologist salary in Pennsylvania?
How many surgical technologists are employed in Pennsylvania?
Which Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania. State averages are employment-weighted across 24 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