Surgical Technologist Salary in Cranston, RI: $66,986 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Cranston, RI earns a median $66,986/year (≈ $32.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Cranston's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $66,653 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

With a projected annual surgical technologist salary in Cranston, Rhode Island, reaching $66,986 in 2026, local professionals are positioned competitively in the healthcare market. The salary range spans from $49,242 at the 10th percentile to $102,902 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a robust job market influenced by trends like advanced robotic surgery certification. This local estimate, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ state-level data and adjusted for regional cost variations, indicates that Cranston's surgical technologists can expect compensation that closely mirrors national figures, though slightly below the national median of $68,141. Continued demand for skilled surgical technologists aligns with advancements in surgical technology, emphasizing specialties such as cardiovascular and neurosurgery.
About the Cranston Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,242 | $23.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,396 | $27.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,986 | $32.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,609 | $40.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,902 | $49.47 |
Median Salary Position
1.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cranston
In Cranston, RI, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,660 (2026 est.). At $66,986, the local median is 1.7% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cranston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cranston Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Cranston median: $66,986/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cranston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $68,493 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -1.70% less |
Surgical Technologists in Cranston, RI earn a median of $66,986 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.70% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 2.20% below the Rhode Island state average of $68,493.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cranston has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cranston, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $66,986 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $66,653 — a 0.5% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$47,481
2025 BLS Actual
$63,554
2026 Current Est.
$66,986
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Cranston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,481 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,867 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,707 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,011 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,582 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,017 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,554 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,986 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,603 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cranston metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $47,481 (2019) to $63,554 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,603 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,122 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cranston 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) | $49,242 – $57,396 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,396 – $66,986 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,986 – $84,609 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,609 – $102,902 |
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 Cranston
In Cranston, twelve surgical technologists are currently employed, reflecting a specialized job market amidst a cost of living index of 100.5, which slightly exceeds the national average. This index suggests that while salaries may be competitive, the purchasing power of surgical technologists' income is somewhat affected by local living costs. Employment settings vary, with hospital operating rooms usually providing the highest salaries, followed by specialized surgical centers focusing on areas like orthopedic and cardiothoracic procedures. Factors influencing pay disparities include the demand for surgical technologists with robotic surgery certification and specialty experience, as well as the growing appeal of travel surgical technologist roles. To maximize earning potential, professionals should consider pursuing certifications in high-demand areas and seek employment in settings that promote advanced surgical technologies, capitalizing on the premium often associated with operating rooms and trauma centers.
More salary data for Cranston, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Cranston, RI in 2026?
Is Cranston, RI a good place to work as a surgical technologist?
Can surgical technologists make $100K in Cranston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted surgical technologist salary in Cranston?
How much does a surgical technologist make per hour in Cranston?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Rhode Island
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 $63,554 for surgical technologistsin the Cranston 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
Salary data for Cranston is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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