Surgical Technologist Salary in Bellingham, WA: $80,072 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Bellingham, WA earns a median $80,072/year (≈ $38.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Bellingham's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.3), that paycheck buys what $77,489 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, surgical technologists in Bellingham, Washington, can expect a median salary of $80,072, reflecting a robust 17.51% increase compared to the national figure of $68,141. The salary range for this occupation reaches from $69,912 at the 10th percentile to $116,731 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the potential for lucrative opportunities, especially for those specializing in high-demand areas such as cardiovascular and neurosurgery. This data is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and showcases the strong compensation landscape available to surgical technologists in Bellingham, possibly driven by the growing complexity of surgeries and the need for specialized skills in advanced surgical settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,912 | $33.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,912 | $33.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,072 | $38.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,353 | $48.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $116,731 | $56.11 |
Median Salary Position
17.51% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellingham
In Bellingham, WA, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,819 (2026 est.). At $80,072, the local median is 17.51% above the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bellingham: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Bellingham Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Bellingham median: $80,072/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellingham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $77,514 | +3.30% more |
| National Average | $68,141 | +17.51% more |
Surgical Technologists in Bellingham, WA earn a median of $80,072 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.51% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 3.30% above the Washington state average of $77,514.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bellingham has a cost of living 3.33% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bellingham, WA has a cost-of-living index of 103.334 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,072 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,489 — a 3.23% 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
$51,720
2025 BLS Actual
$75,970
2026 Current Est.
$80,072
2019–2027 Growth
+63.2%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Bellingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,720 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,414 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,758 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,223 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,262 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,970 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,072 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,396 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellingham metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 46.9% from $51,720 (2019) to $75,970 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,396 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,676 (63.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellingham 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) | $69,912 – $69,912 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,912 – $80,072 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,072 – $101,353 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,353 – $116,731 |
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 Bellingham
The job market for surgical technologists in Bellingham is relatively stable, with approximately 50 professionals employed locally. This is complemented by a cost-of-living index of 103.334, indicating that while salaries are competitive, they must also contend with living expenses higher than the national average. Employers that typically offer the highest compensation include hospital operating rooms and specialized surgical centers concentrating on areas like orthopedic and cardiothoracic surgery. Moreover, the variation in salaries can be attributed to factors such as specialty certifications, including robotic surgery training, as well as roles with additional responsibilities, such as surgical first assistants. Aspiring surgical technologists looking to maximize their pay in Bellingham should focus on gaining specialized certifications and considering travel opportunities, given that these often come with higher stipends and better compensation packages.
More salary data for Bellingham, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Bellingham, WA in 2026?
Is Bellingham, WA a good place to work as a surgical technologist?
Can surgical technologists make $100K in Bellingham?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted surgical technologist salary in Bellingham?
How much does a surgical technologist make per hour in Bellingham?
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 $75,970 for surgical technologistsin the Bellingham 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, 4-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