Surgical Technologist Salary in Auburn, WA: $76,590 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Auburn, WA earns a median $76,590/year (≈ $36.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Auburn's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $71,313 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Surgical technologist positions in Auburn, Washington, offer a competitive median annual salary of $76,590, which is notably higher than the national median of $68,141. This reflects the city’s diverse healthcare infrastructure, which includes hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical facilities that each have a distinct pay structure. Salaries in this field range from $51,371 at the 10th percentile to $116,406 at the 90th percentile, indicating a substantial earning potential for those who specialize or take on additional responsibilities, such as the role of surgical first assistant or those with robotic surgery certifications. Local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, emphasize how the structural choices of surgical settings can significantly impact compensation.
About the Auburn Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,371 | $24.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,904 | $31.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,590 | $36.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,931 | $46.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $116,406 | $55.97 |
Median Salary Position
12.40% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Auburn
In Auburn, WA, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,035 (2026 est.). At $76,590, the local median is 12.4% above the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Auburn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Auburn Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Auburn median: $76,590/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Auburn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $77,520 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | +12.40% more |
Surgical Technologists in Auburn, WA earn a median of $76,590 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.40% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 1.20% below the Washington state average of $77,520.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Auburn has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Auburn, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $76,590 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,313 — a 6.89% 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
$54,289
2025 BLS Actual
$72,666
2026 Current Est.
$76,590
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Auburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,289 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,874 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,547 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,899 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,125 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,435 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,666 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,590 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,726 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Auburn metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $54,289 (2019) to $72,666 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,726 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,437 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Auburn 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) | $51,371 – $64,904 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,904 – $76,590 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,590 – $95,931 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,931 – $116,406 |
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 Auburn
In Auburn, the job market for surgical technologists remains robust, with 23 professionals currently employed in this field. The cost of living index sits at 107.4, slightly above the national average, which can affect take-home purchasing power. Hospitals tend to offer the most lucrative positions among local employers, followed closely by specialty surgical centers focusing on high-demand fields like orthopedic and cardiothoracic surgery. The disparity in salaries can largely be attributed to specialization and the available certifications, where cardiovascular and neurosurgery roles command the highest pay. For those seeking to maximize their surgical technologist pay in Auburn, pursuing additional certifications, such as robotic surgery training or gaining experience in high-acuity environments, may yield significant financial benefits and elevate job prospects in this competitive market.
More salary data for Auburn, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Auburn, WA in 2026?
Is Auburn, WA a good place to work as a surgical technologist?
Can surgical technologists make $100K in Auburn?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted surgical technologist salary in Auburn?
How much does a surgical technologist make per hour in Auburn?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 $72,666 for surgical technologistsin the Auburn 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 Auburn 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