Surgical Technologists Salary
The median pay for a surgical technologists in Arizona is $72,260/year ($34.74/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $50K at the entry level to $97K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 96.41), that's roughly $74,951 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,437/month, or 29.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Arizona. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $72K get you in Arizona?
About surgical technologists
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What this looks like in Arizona
Arizona sits well above the national pay line for surgical technologists, local pay runs about 12% higher than the U.S. median of $65K. Rent runs $1,437/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 30% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 96.41) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Arizona
Entry-level surgical technologists (10th percentile) start around $50K. Mid-career wages sit at $72K. Top earners bring in $97K or more, a $47K spread from bottom to top.
Surgical Technologists salary by metro in Arizona
4 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler | $78K | +8% | 1,790 |
| Tucson | $65K | -11% | 340 |
| Flagstaff | $61K | -16% | 60 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman | $61K | -16% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track surgical technologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Arizona numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a surgical technologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Arizona?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $72K, rent takes 30% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,437/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,400/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for surgical technologists in Arizona?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new surgical technologists typically earn — is $50K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,002/month. At HUD’s $1,437/month FMR, rent would take 48% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is surgical technologist a high-paying job in Arizona?
Local pay is 12% above the national median — $72K here vs. $65K nationally.
How does Arizona compare to the national average for surgical technologists?
Arizona pays $72K median vs. the U.S. average of $65K — that’s +12%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 96.41), the purchasing-power equivalent is $75K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do surgical technologists make in Arizona?
The median is $72,260 a year, that works out to about $35 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $50,030, and experienced surgical technologists can clear $96,840. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $72K enough to live in Arizona?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,785/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,437/month, which eats 30% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a surgical technologists salary go in Arizona?
Arizona has a Regional Price Parity of 96.41 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median surgical technologists salary is worth about $74,951 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do surgical technologists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.