Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay in St. Petersburg, FL: $31.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a surgical technologist working in St. Petersburg, FL runs $31.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,949 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Weighted against St. Petersburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,567 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Surgical technologists in St. Petersburg earn a median hourly rate of $31.70, which is slightly below the national median of $32.76. This financial figure proves advantageous for those seeking either part-time positions or per-diem work during their careers in various healthcare environments such as hospital operating rooms, specialty surgical centers, and trauma suites. For workers employed just three days a week, there is potential to secure a stable income while maintaining a desirable work-life balance. In terms of pay scale, the hourly wages in this profession range from $22.51 for entry-level positions to $49.15 for top earners, demonstrating the potential for upward mobility based on experience and specialization. These estimates are derived from annual salary figures and highlight the competitive landscape of surgical technologist hourly pay in St. Petersburg, FL.
About the St. Petersburg Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.51 | $180.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.76 | $214.09 |
| Median (P50) | $31.70 | $253.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.29 | $314.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.15 | $393.18 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Petersburg
Based on $31.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.70/hr, a surgical technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Petersburg, FL can expect to earn approximately $65,945 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,045. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in St. Petersburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Petersburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,268.17 | $5,495 | $65,945 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $760.90 | $3,297 | $39,567 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $507.27 | $2,198 | $26,378 |
Compare Surg Tech, CST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Surgical Technologist (St. Petersburg) | $31.70 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.36 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
| Radiologic Technologist (National Avg) | $36.78 |
Surgical Technologists in St. Petersburg, FL earn a median of $65,949 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.22% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 1.30% above the Florida state average of $65,102.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.70/hr = $39,567/year (purchasing power: $39,253).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,945/year (purchasing power: $65,422).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$22.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.08/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in St. Petersburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.47/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.13/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.58/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.04/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.82/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.08/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for surgical technologists in St. Petersburg grew 33.9% from $22.47/hr (2019) to $30.08/hr (2025). At a 5.40% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.42/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem surgical technologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Petersburg 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.
Working as an Hourly Surgical Technologist in St. Petersburg
Exploring the earnings for surgical technologists in St. Petersburg reveals significant potential for both part-time and per-diem roles. A professional working three days a week, totaling 24 hours, could bring home around $39,705 annually, contrasting with a full-time equivalent that would yield a higher total. Per diem surgical technologists often command rates between $35 and $55 per hour, with cardiovascular and neuro specialties demanding up to $75 per hour. This can result in lucrative travel contracts, offering weekly pay from $1,800 to $2,800. Variations in hourly rates often exist depending on the employer type, with hospitals and specialty centers typically offering different compensation packages. While some surgical technologists may opt for positions with lower hourly wages that include benefits like health insurance, others might prioritize higher hourly pay without such perks. Effective negotiation is essential for hourly workers in St. Petersburg; understanding the local market and knowing one's worth can significantly influence employment outcomes in this dynamic field.
More salary data for St. Petersburg, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Hourly wage 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 estimate current 2026 hourly rates for surgical technologists in St. Petersburg. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for St. Petersburg 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