Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay in Lafayette, LA: $27.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a surgical technologist working in Lafayette, LA runs $27.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,674 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Weighted against Lafayette's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.2, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,003 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lafayette, Louisiana, the projected surgical technologist hourly pay reaches $27.25, which falls significantly below the national median of $32.76. This pay structure can have implications for part-time professionals working three days a week, enabling them to earn a steady income while gaining valuable experience in various surgical environments such as hospital operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical facilities. The hourly wage spans from $19.67 for entry-level positions to approximately $35.78 for the most experienced surgical technologists in the area. With data sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS, projected to 2026, these figures reflect the local earning landscape for this essential healthcare role.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.67 | $157.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.63 | $205.07 |
| Median (P50) | $27.25 | $217.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.64 | $253.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.78 | $286.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lafayette
Based on $27.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.25/hr, a surgical technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lafayette, LA can expect to earn approximately $56,671 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,695. With a cost-of-living index of 87.21 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lafayette.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lafayette
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,089.84 | $4,723 | $56,671 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $653.90 | $2,834 | $34,003 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $435.93 | $1,889 | $22,669 |
Compare Surg Tech, CST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Surgical Technologist (Lafayette) | $27.25 |
| 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 Lafayette, LA earn a median of $56,674 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.83% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 6.90% below the Louisiana state average of $60,874.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.25/hr = $34,003/year (purchasing power: $38,990).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,671/year (purchasing power: $64,984).
CoL index: 87.209 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+57.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.89/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for surgical technologists in Lafayette grew 42.0% from $18.20/hr (2019) to $25.85/hr (2025). At a 5.40% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.72/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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette
Examining the earning potential for part-time surgical technologists, those working a 24-hour week can expect significantly lower annual take-home amounts compared to their full-time counterparts. In the realm of per diem surgical technologist pay in Lafayette, rates typically range between $35 and $55 per hour, with specialized roles, particularly in cardiovascular and neurosurgery, commanding up to $75 an hour. Travel contracts can offer lucrative weekly pay ranging from $1,800 to $2,800, especially for cardiac specialties. Interestingly, hourly rates can vary considerably depending on the type of employer; hospital operating rooms may offer steadier hours and benefits compared to ambulatory surgery centers and military units, which may provide higher hourly wages but less job security. Surgical technologists in Lafayette must weigh their options carefully—accepting lower hourly compensation for benefits or pursuing higher pay without healthcare coverage. It's advisable for these professionals to negotiate effectively, keeping local pay trends and the unique demands of specialty certifications like robotic surgery in mind when seeking opportunities.
More salary data for Lafayette, LA:
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 Lafayette. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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