Surgical Technologists Salary
The median pay for a surgical technologists in Washington is $77,270/year ($37.15/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $55K at the entry level to $104K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $75,747 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,830/month, about 34.1% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $77K get you in Washington?
About surgical technologists
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What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for surgical technologists, local pay runs about 20% higher than the U.S. median of $65K. Rent runs $1,830/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 35% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) 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, Washington
Entry-level surgical technologists (10th percentile) start around $55K. Mid-career wages sit at $77K. Top earners bring in $104K or more, a $48K spread from bottom to top.
Surgical Technologists salary by metro in Washington
8 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | $81K | +5% | 50 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $80K | +3% | 1,460 |
| Bellingham | $76K | -2% | 50 |
| Kennewick-Richland | $75K | -3% | 110 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $72K | -7% | 260 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $70K | -9% | 70 |
| Yakima | $65K | -16% | 90 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | $64K | -18% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track surgical technologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a surgical technologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $77K, rent takes 35% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,600/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for surgical technologists in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new surgical technologists typically earn — is $55K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,316/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 55% 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 Washington?
Local pay is 20% above the national median — $77K here vs. $65K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for surgical technologists?
Washington pays $77K median vs. the U.S. average of $65K — that’s +20%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $76K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do surgical technologists make in Washington?
The median is $77,270 a year, that works out to about $37 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $55,270, and experienced surgical technologists can clear $103,690. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $77K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,229/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 35% 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 Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median surgical technologists salary is worth about $75,747 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.