Surgical Technologist Salary in West Virginia: $52,882 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across West Virginia's 11 metropolitan areas, the average median surgical technologist pay sits at $52,882/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2055. Because West Virginia sits at BEA RPP 86.5 (13% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $61,135 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Martinsburg ($56,255), Parkersburg ($54,216), South Charleston ($53,570).
In 2026, surgical technologists in West Virginia are projected to earn an average median salary of $52,881, which is significantly lower than the national median of $68,141—reflecting a 22.4% difference. Salaries across the state vary, with Martinsburg offering the highest average at $59,293 and Charleston at the lower end with $51,762, creating a gap of $7,531. This disparity is influenced by local demand for health services, cost of living considerations, and the concentration of medical facilities. West Virginia's profession-specific standards include state licensing requirements and defined scope of practice laws that may differ from other states. The projected growth rate of 5.40% reflects a positive outlook for job opportunities in this field. Currently, there are 487 surgical technologists employed statewide, with top-paying cities also including Parkersburg at $57,144, South Charleston at $56,463, Wheeling at $56,147, and Weirton at $55,856. The increased demand for surgical procedures and healthcare services contributes to the growing need for surgical technologists, making this a relevant career choice in West Virginia's evolving job market.
West Virginia Surgical Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in West Virginia: $39,146 (lowest entry-level) to $84,537 (highest top earner)
West Virginia vs National Average
West Virginia surgical technologists earn 22.39% less than the national median ($-15,259/year difference).
West Virginia Surgical Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Surgical Technologist salaries in West Virginia range from $39,993 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $74,868 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $52,882. The West Virginia median is $15,259 below the US national median of $68,141. The average hourly rate is $25.43/hr. Approximately 487 surgical technologists are employed across 11 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$38,188
2025 BLS Actual
$50,172
2026 Current Est.
$52,882
2019–2027 Growth
+46.0%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in West Virginia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,188 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,273 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,643 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,950 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,259 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,341 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,172 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,882 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,737 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the West Virginia metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 31.4% from $38,188 (2019) to $50,172 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,737 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,549 (45.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the West 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 West Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in West Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Charleston | $51,762 |
| Morgantown | $52,057 |
| Huntington | $53,828 |
| Clarksburg | $54,667 |
| Fairmont | $54,849 |
Best Value Cities for Surgical Technologists in West Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these West Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for surgical technologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martinsburg | $59,293 | 86.5 | $68,547 |
| Parkersburg | $57,144 | 86.5 | $66,062 |
| South Charleston | $56,463 | 86.5 | $65,275 |
| Wheeling | $56,147 | 86.5 | $64,910 |
| Weirton | $55,856 | 86.5 | $64,573 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in West Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $39,993 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $52,882 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $74,868 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across West Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 11 Cities in West Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Martinsburg | $59,293 |
| 2 | Parkersburg | $57,144 |
| 3 | South Charleston | $56,463 |
| 4 | Wheeling | $56,147 |
| 5 | Weirton | $55,856 |
| 6 | Beckley | $54,911 |
| 7 | Fairmont | $54,849 |
| 8 | Clarksburg | $54,667 |
| 9 | Huntington | $53,828 |
| 10 | Morgantown | $52,057 |
| 11 | Charleston | $51,762 |
More West Virginia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore surgical technologist hourly pay in West Virginia cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new surgical technologists.
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 West Virginia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for surgical technologists in West Virginia?
How does West Virginia surgical technologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level surgical technologist salary in West Virginia?
How many surgical technologists are employed in West Virginia?
Which West 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 West Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 11 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