Surgical Technologist Salary in Austin, TX: $77,796 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Austin, TX earns a median $77,796/year (≈ $37.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Austin's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $79,330 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 17.6% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, surgical technologists in Austin, TX, are projected to earning a median annual salary of $77,796, significantly higher than the national median of $68,141, showcasing a 14.17% advantage. The salary range for professionals in this sector spans from $51,172 at the lower end to a top figure of $100,193 for those at the higher end. This data, drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, reflects a robust demand for surgical technologists, particularly as advanced certifications in robotic surgery become more prevalent. Facilities that incorporate state-of-the-art robotic systems are increasingly incentivizing technicians with higher compensation, creating competitive opportunities across surgical environments in Austin.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,172 | $24.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,370 | $31.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,796 | $37.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,279 | $41.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,193 | $48.17 |
Median Salary Position
14.17% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin
In Austin, TX, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,021 (2026 est.). At $77,796, the local median is 14.17% above the national median of $68,141.
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How Austin Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Austin median: $77,796/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Austin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $66,153 | +17.60% more |
| National Average | $68,141 | +14.17% more |
Surgical Technologists in Austin, TX earn a median of $77,796 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.17% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 17.60% above the Texas state average of $66,153.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Austin has a cost of living 1.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Austin, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.066 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $77,796 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,330 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.97% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,480
2025 BLS Actual
$73,810
2026 Current Est.
$77,796
2019–2027 Growth
+62.4%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,480 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,630 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,720 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,270 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,796 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,997 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Austin metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 46.2% from $50,480 (2019) to $73,810 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,997 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,517 (62.43%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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) | $51,172 – $66,370 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,370 – $77,796 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,796 – $85,279 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,279 – $100,193 |
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 Austin
The job market in Austin includes approximately 700 surgical technologists, suggesting a compact yet active workforce within the healthcare sphere. With a cost of living index of 98.066, the purchasing power of surgical technologist pay in Austin remains favorable compared to the national average. Employers that typically offer the highest compensation include hospital operating rooms, specialized surgical centers, and military/VA surgical units. Variations in pay stem from factors such as specialty training in areas like cardiovascular or neurosurgery, as well as advantages for those holding robotic surgery certifications or taking on additional responsibilities as surgical first assistants. To enhance earning potential, surgical technologists should consider pursuing specialized certifications, engaging in continuing education programs, and exploring opportunities in high-demand surgical specialties or travel positions, which often offer higher rates.
More salary data for Austin, TX:
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 $73,810 for surgical technologistsin the Austin 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