Surgical Technologist Salary in McAllen, TX: $65,169 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in McAllen, TX earns a median $65,169/year (≈ $31.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in McAllen's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.9), that paycheck buys what $75,871 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In McAllen, Texas, surgical technologists can expect a median annual salary of $65,169 in 2026, reflecting the region's focus on healthcare delivery through various facility models. With a salary range that spans from $39,620 at the lower end to $79,134 for the highest earners, the compensation landscape indicates significant diversity tied to specific practice settings. Data sourced from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) underscores how surgical technologist pay in McAllen TX slightly lags behind the national median of $68,141, but it remains competitive considering the area's cost of living. The local job market for surgical technologists is buoyed by a mix of hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical practices, laying the groundwork for ongoing career opportunities in this vital healthcare sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,620 | $19.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,805 | $25.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,169 | $31.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,887 | $36.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,134 | $38.04 |
Median Salary Position
4.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in McAllen
In McAllen, TX, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,514 (2026 est.). At $65,169, the local median is 4.36% below the national median of $68,141.
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At 40 hours/week in McAllen: You'd be above the median
How McAllen Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
McAllen median: $65,169/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | McAllen Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $66,161 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -4.36% less |
Surgical Technologists in McAllen, TX earn a median of $65,169 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.36% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 1.50% below the Texas state average of $66,161.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
McAllen has a cost of living 14.11% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
McAllen, TX has a cost-of-living index of 85.895 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $65,169 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,871 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.42% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,420
2025 BLS Actual
$61,830
2026 Current Est.
$65,169
2019–2027 Growth
+39.0%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in McAllen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,080 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,400 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,710 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,830 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,169 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,688 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the McAllen metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 25.1% from $49,420 (2019) to $61,830 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,688 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,268 (38.99%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the McAllen 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) | $39,620 – $52,805 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,805 – $65,169 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,169 – $74,887 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,887 – $79,134 |
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 McAllen
The employment landscape in McAllen features around 190 surgical technologists, with a cost-of-living index of 85.895 that enhances the effective purchasing power of their earnings. Although salaries may not reach the national average, local employers that typically offer the most lucrative opportunities include hospital operating rooms and specialized facilities focusing on areas like orthopedic or cardiac surgery. The disparity in earnings often arises from factors such as specialty certifications, call coverage requirements, and the complexity of surgical procedures handled by techs. Those seeking to maximize their surgical technologist salary in McAllen should consider pursuing advanced certifications, such as robotic surgery training, which can lead to higher compensation. Additionally, exploring positions in trauma centers or travel surgical tech assignments may present lucrative paths for career advancement, catering to the growing demand for skilled professionals in various surgical fields.
More salary data for McAllen, 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 $61,830 for surgical technologistsin the McAllen 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