Surgical Technologist Salary in Allentown, PA: $65,612 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Allentown, PA earns a median $65,612/year (≈ $31.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Allentown's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.0), that paycheck buys what $65,633 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Surgical technologists in Allentown, PA, can expect a median annual salary of $65,612 in 2026, reflecting a competitive position within the labor market. This amount indicates a notable premium particularly for those who specialize in cardiovascular and neurosurgery. Overall, the salary range extends from $50,961 at the lower tenth percentile to $79,071 at the upper ninetieth percentile. Such figures are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and illustrate how surgical technologist pay in Allentown compares to the national median of $68,141. With the local job market supporting approximately 370 surgical technologists, those seeking to enter or advance in this field should be mindful of the specialties that command higher pay, especially in a city where surgical technology careers are on the rise.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,961 | $24.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,025 | $25.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,612 | $31.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,266 | $36.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,071 | $38.02 |
Median Salary Position
3.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Allentown
In Allentown, PA, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,110 (2026 est.). At $65,612, the local median is 3.71% below the national median of $68,141.
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At 40 hours/week in Allentown: You'd be above the median
How Allentown Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Allentown median: $65,612/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Allentown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $65,677 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -3.71% less |
Surgical Technologists in Allentown, PA earn a median of $65,612 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.71% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 0.10% below the Pennsylvania state average of $65,677.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Allentown has a cost of living 0.03% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Allentown, PA has a cost-of-living index of 99.968 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $65,612 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,633 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.03% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,700
2025 BLS Actual
$62,250
2026 Current Est.
$65,612
2019–2027 Growth
+54.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Allentown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,700 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,490 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,650 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,883 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,240 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,220 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,250 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,612 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,155 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Allentown metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 39.3% from $44,700 (2019) to $62,250 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,155 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,455 (54.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Allentown 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) | $50,961 – $52,025 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,025 – $65,612 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,612 – $75,266 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,266 – $79,071 |
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 Allentown
Regarding the job market dynamics for surgical technologists in Allentown, the cost-of-living index stands at 99.968, indicating a cost structure that is slightly below the national average. This means that while salaries may reflect regional averages, the purchasing power of surgical technologists can still be robust. Key employers in the area include hospital operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialized surgical facilities, each varying in salary offerings. Factors affecting the wage variance include the demand for specialties, such as cardiovascular and neuro, as well as the potential for premium pay through skills like robotic surgery certification and trauma center designation. To maximize their surgical technologist pay in Allentown, professionals should consider gaining certifications that enhance their marketability, actively seek positions in high-demand specializations, and leverage negotiation strategies when entering or transitioning roles.
More salary data for Allentown, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can surgical technologists make $100K in Allentown?
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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 $62,250 for surgical technologistsin the Allentown 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, 6-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