Surgical Technologist Salary in Rhode Island: $78,153 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Rhode Island's 17 metropolitan areas, the average median surgical technologist pay sits at $78,153/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2055. Because Rhode Island sits at BEA RPP 100.5 (1% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $77,764 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Warwick ($78,837), Providence ($77,270), Pawtucket ($64,902).
In Rhode Island, surgical technologists can expect an average median salary of $78,153 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national median of $68,141, representing a difference of 14.7%. The highest paying city for this profession is Warwick, where salaries reach $83,094, while Central Falls offers the lowest at $63,185, showcasing a salary gap of $19,909. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for surgical services, and the presence of healthcare facilities in these areas. Rhode Island’s state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws align with national standards, ensuring that surgical technologists are well-regulated. The projected growth rate for this profession in the state is 5.40% annually, reflecting a steady demand for surgical services driven by an aging population and advancements in medical technologies. The job market appears strong, with a total of 509 surgical technologists employed in the state. Major cities such as Providence and Pawtucket offer salaries of $81,443 and $68,407 respectively, indicating varied opportunities across urban areas. Overall, Rhode Island's compensation for surgical technologists is competitive and is influenced by local healthcare dynamics and economic factors.
Rhode Island Surgical Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Rhode Island: $47,107 (lowest entry-level) to $124,908 (highest top earner)
Rhode Island vs National Average
Rhode Island surgical technologists earn 14.69% more than the national median (+$10,012/year difference).
Rhode Island Surgical Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Surgical Technologist salaries in Rhode Island range from $55,637 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $101,732 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $78,153. The Rhode Island median is $10,012 above the US national median of $68,141. The average hourly rate is $37.57/hr. Approximately 509 surgical technologists are employed across 17 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$51,760
2025 BLS Actual
$74,149
2026 Current Est.
$78,153
2019–2027 Growth
+59.1%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Rhode Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,760 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,510 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,820 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,961 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,149 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,153 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,373 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rhode Island metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 43.3% from $51,760 (2019) to $74,149 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,373 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,613 (59.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island
Lowest Paying Cities in Rhode Island
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Central Falls | $63,185 |
| Westerly | $63,953 |
| Bristol | $64,828 |
| South Kingstown | $65,005 |
| Cumberland | $65,175 |
Best Value Cities for Surgical Technologists in Rhode Island
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Rhode Island cities offer the most purchasing power for surgical technologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warwick | $83,094 | 100.5 | $82,681 |
| Providence | $81,443 | 101.773 | $80,024 |
| Pawtucket | $68,407 | 100.5 | $68,067 |
| East Providence | $67,881 | 100.5 | $67,543 |
| West Warwick | $67,699 | 100.5 | $67,362 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Rhode Island
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $55,637 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $78,153 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $101,732 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Rhode Island metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 17 Cities in Rhode Island
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Warwick | $83,094 |
| 2 | Providence | $81,443 |
| 3 | Pawtucket | $68,407 |
| 4 | East Providence | $67,881 |
| 5 | West Warwick | $67,699 |
| 6 | Coventry | $67,381 |
| 7 | Cranston | $66,986 |
| 8 | Johnston | $66,223 |
| 9 | Woonsocket | $66,195 |
| 10 | Newport | $65,835 |
| 11 | North Providence | $65,702 |
| 12 | North Kingstown | $65,680 |
| 13 | Cumberland | $65,175 |
| 14 | South Kingstown | $65,005 |
| 15 | Bristol | $64,828 |
| 16 | Westerly | $63,953 |
| 17 | Central Falls | $63,185 |
More Rhode Island Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore surgical technologist hourly pay in Rhode Island cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced surgical technologists.
Explore More Surgical Technologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Rhode Island in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for surgical technologists in Rhode Island?
How does Rhode Island surgical technologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level surgical technologist salary in Rhode Island?
How many surgical technologists are employed in Rhode Island?
Which Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island. State averages are employment-weighted across 17 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