Surgical Technologist Salary in Fairbanks, AK: $79,725 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Fairbanks, AK earns a median $79,725/year (≈ $38.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Fairbanks's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $77,247 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.3% above the Alaska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fairbanks, Alaska, surgical technologists are projected to earn a median annual salary of $79,725 in 2026, significantly above the national median of $68,141. The salary range in this region spans from $57,064 at the 10th percentile to $97,295 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse roles and responsibilities within this specialty. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and indicates a strong local demand for qualified surgical technologists. The increase in robotic surgery certification is also impacting compensation, providing a competitive edge for techs skilled in operating advanced surgical systems.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,064 | $27.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,064 | $27.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,725 | $38.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,163 | $40.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,295 | $46.78 |
Median Salary Position
17.00% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fairbanks
In Fairbanks, AK, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,231 (2026 est.). At $79,725, the local median is 17% above the national median of $68,141.
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At 40 hours/week in Fairbanks: You'd be above the median
How Fairbanks Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Fairbanks median: $79,725/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fairbanks Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Average | $72,280 | +10.30% more |
| National Average | $68,141 | +17.00% more |
Surgical Technologists in Fairbanks, AK earn a median of $79,725 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.00% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 10.30% above the Alaska state average of $72,280.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fairbanks has a cost of living 3.21% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fairbanks, AK has a cost-of-living index of 103.208 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,725 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,247 — a 3.11% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,260
2025 BLS Actual
$75,640
2026 Current Est.
$79,725
2019–2027 Growth
+30.8%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Fairbanks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,160 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,780 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,300 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,990 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,640 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,725 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,030 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fairbanks metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 17.7% from $64,260 (2019) to $75,640 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,030 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,770 (30.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fairbanks 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) | $57,064 – $57,064 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,064 – $79,725 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,725 – $85,163 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,163 – $97,295 |
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 Fairbanks
Currently, Fairbanks employs around 30 surgical technologists, and the city's relatively higher cost of living index of 103.208 poses implications for actual take-home earnings and purchasing power. To maximize earnings, surgical technologists should consider opportunities in hospital operating rooms, specialty surgical centers, and travel surgical tech agencies, as they generally offer higher compensation. Factors such as specialty expertise—particularly in fields like cardiovascular and neurosurgery—as well as additional roles like surgical first assistants or call coverage contribute to the pay spread. Staying updated on certifications, especially robotic surgery qualifications, can also enhance earning potential in this market, reflecting the growing importance of advanced technology in surgical procedures.
More salary data for Fairbanks, AK:
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
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 $75,640 for surgical technologistsin the Fairbanks 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-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