Surgical Technologist Salary in Virginia: $67,574 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Virginia's 42 metropolitan areas, the average median surgical technologist pay sits at $67,574/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2055. Because Virginia sits at BEA RPP 103.2 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $65,479 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Alexandria ($78,085), Newport News ($67,238), Hampton ($66,645).
The average median salary for surgical technologists in Virginia is projected to be $67,574 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $68,141, reflecting a difference of -0.8%. The highest paying city for this profession is Alexandria, with an average salary of $82,302, while Richmond offers the lowest at $64,273. The significant salary gap of $18,029 between these cities can be attributed to factors like the cost of living, demand for surgical services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas. In Virginia, surgical technologists typically must complete an accredited program and may pursue certification, though licensing is not mandated by the state. The scope of practice for surgical technologists includes assisting in surgical procedures, maintaining sterile environments, and handling surgical instruments. A projected annual growth rate of 5.40% indicates a strong job market outlook, driven by an increasing need for surgical services and the expansion of healthcare facilities throughout the state. The total employment for surgical technologists in Virginia is expected to reach 1,419 by 2026, with top cities for employment projected to include Newport News at $70,869, Hampton at $70,244, Norfolk at $69,928, and Centreville at $69,917, highlighting diverse opportunities within the state.
Virginia Surgical Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Virginia: $38,155 (lowest entry-level) to $126,487 (highest top earner)
Virginia vs National Average
Virginia surgical technologists earn 0.83% less than the national median ($-567/year difference).
Virginia Surgical Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Surgical Technologist salaries in Virginia range from $46,577 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $98,822 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $67,574. The Virginia median is $567 below the US national median of $68,141. The average hourly rate is $32.49/hr. Approximately 1,419 surgical technologists are employed across 42 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$47,671
2025 BLS Actual
$64,112
2026 Current Est.
$67,574
2019–2027 Growth
+49.4%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Virginia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,671 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,493 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,971 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,133 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,696 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,495 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,112 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,574 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,223 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 34.5% from $47,671 (2019) to $64,112 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,223 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,552 (49.41%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia 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 Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Richmond | $64,273 |
| Falls Church | $64,841 |
| Roanoke | $64,926 |
| Bristol | $65,233 |
| Herndon | $65,873 |
Best Value Cities for Surgical Technologists in Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for surgical technologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | $82,302 | 103.2 | $79,750 |
| Virginia Beach | $68,900 | 97.941 | $70,348 |
| Roanoke | $64,926 | 93.618 | $69,352 |
| Newport News | $70,869 | 103.2 | $68,672 |
| Hampton | $70,244 | 103.2 | $68,066 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $46,577 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $67,574 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $98,822 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 42 Cities in Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandria | $82,302 |
| 2 | Newport News | $70,869 |
| 3 | Hampton | $70,244 |
| 4 | Norfolk | $69,928 |
| 5 | Centreville | $69,917 |
| 6 | Blacksburg | $69,743 |
| 7 | Lynchburg | $69,716 |
| 8 | Burke | $69,443 |
| 9 | Harrisonburg | $69,298 |
| 10 | Chesapeake | $69,168 |
| 11 | Suffolk | $69,142 |
| 12 | Tuckahoe | $68,946 |
| 13 | Virginia Beach | $68,900 |
| 14 | Ashburn | $68,847 |
| 15 | McLean | $68,842 |
| 16 | Reston | $68,769 |
| 17 | Danville | $68,756 |
| 18 | Fredericksburg | $68,460 |
| 19 | Dale City | $68,446 |
| 20 | Manassas | $68,373 |
| 21 | Salem | $68,182 |
| 22 | Leesburg | $68,084 |
| 23 | Portsmouth | $68,045 |
| 24 | Mechanicsville | $67,937 |
| 25 | Springfield | $67,696 |
| 26 | Woodbridge | $67,604 |
| 27 | Sterling | $67,473 |
| 28 | Staunton | $67,423 |
| 29 | Charlottesville | $67,402 |
| 30 | Lake Ridge | $67,385 |
| 31 | Linton Hall | $67,309 |
| 32 | Radford | $67,258 |
| 33 | Fairfax | $67,137 |
| 34 | Waynesboro | $66,809 |
| 35 | Annandale | $66,719 |
| 36 | Winchester | $66,621 |
| 37 | Williamsburg | $66,592 |
| 38 | Herndon | $65,873 |
| 39 | Bristol | $65,233 |
| 40 | Roanoke | $64,926 |
| 41 | Falls Church | $64,841 |
| 42 | Richmond | $64,273 |
More Virginia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore surgical technologist hourly pay in Virginia 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 Virginia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for surgical technologists in Virginia?
How does Virginia surgical technologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level surgical technologist salary in Virginia?
How many surgical technologists are employed in Virginia?
Which Virginia 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 Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 42 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