Surgical Technologist Salary in South Charleston, WV: $56,463 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in South Charleston, WV earns a median $56,463/year (≈ $27.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in South Charleston's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.5), that paycheck buys what $65,275 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the West Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In South Charleston, WV, surgical technologists can anticipate a median annual salary of $56,463 based on 2025 BLS data projected for 2026. This figure reflects the competitive nature of the healthcare market in the area, particularly for specialties such as cardiovascular and neurosurgery, which typically command higher compensation. The salary range for surgical technologists spans from $42,333 at the 10th percentile to $77,720 at the 90th percentile, indicating substantial variability based on experience and specialization. These estimates incorporate local cost adjustments, making them particularly relevant for those considering a career in surgical technology within South Charleston, where local healthcare facilities are in need of trained professionals to support various surgical procedures.
About the South Charleston Market
Salary estimated from West Virginia average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,333 | $20.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,575 | $23.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,463 | $27.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,617 | $32.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,720 | $37.36 |
Median Salary Position
17.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Charleston
In South Charleston, WV, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,387 (2026 est.). At $56,463, the local median is 17.14% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Charleston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How South Charleston Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
South Charleston median: $56,463/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Charleston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $58,938 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -17.14% less |
Surgical Technologists in South Charleston, WV earn a median of $56,463 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.14% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 4.20% below the West Virginia state average of $58,938.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Charleston has a cost of living 13.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
South Charleston, WV has a cost-of-living index of 86.5 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $56,463 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,275 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,022
2025 BLS Actual
$53,570
2026 Current Est.
$56,463
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in South Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,022 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,190 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,213 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,369 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,222 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,459 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,570 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,463 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,512 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Charleston metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $40,022 (2019) to $53,570 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,512 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,490 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Charleston 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) | $42,333 – $48,575 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,575 – $56,463 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,463 – $66,617 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,617 – $77,720 |
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 South Charleston
The job market for surgical technologists in South Charleston currently consists of a small workforce of five employed in the field, suggesting a niche yet essential role within local healthcare systems. With a cost of living index of 86.5, the purchasing power for surgical technologists’ salaries tends to be more favorable compared to national averages. Local employers, including hospital operating rooms and specialty surgical centers like those focusing on orthopedic and cardiothoracic procedures, generally offer the highest compensation packages. Factors contributing to the pay disparity include surgical specialties, on-call coverage requirements, and additional certifications such as robotic surgery training. A solid strategy for maximizing pay in this market would involve pursuing advanced certifications like those from the NBSTSA or specializing in high-demand fields, positioning yourself favorably in an evolving healthcare landscape in South Charleston.
More salary data for South Charleston, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can surgical technologists make $100K in South Charleston?
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Related Pages
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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 $53,570 for surgical technologistsin the South Charleston 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 South Charleston 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