Surgical Technologist Salary in Hot Springs, AR: $57,955 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Hot Springs, AR earns a median $57,955/year (≈ $27.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Hot Springs's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $66,692 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Surgical technologists in Hot Springs, Arkansas can expect a median annual salary of $57,955 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $68,141. Salary projections indicate a broad range, with entry-level positions starting at around $40,900 and experienced professionals potentially earning up to $83,238. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions. The compensation landscape is influenced by the local healthcare environment, where surgical technologists may find employment in hospital operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical centers. The choice of workplace can greatly affect earnings, with certain settings offering competitive pay premiums based on the complexity of the procedures performed.
About the Hot Springs Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,900 | $19.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,369 | $23.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,955 | $27.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,019 | $33.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,238 | $40.02 |
Median Salary Position
14.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hot Springs
In Hot Springs, AR, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,338 (2026 est.). At $57,955, the local median is 14.95% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hot Springs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hot Springs Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Hot Springs median: $57,955/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hot Springs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $59,198 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -14.95% less |
Surgical Technologists in Hot Springs, AR earn a median of $57,955 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.95% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 2.10% below the Arkansas state average of $59,198.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hot Springs has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hot Springs, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $57,955 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,692 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.08% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,080
2025 BLS Actual
$54,986
2026 Current Est.
$57,955
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Hot Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,279 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,276 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,595 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,124 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,986 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,955 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,085 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hot Springs metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $41,080 (2019) to $54,986 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,085 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,005 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hot Springs 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) | $40,900 – $48,369 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,369 – $57,955 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,955 – $70,019 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,019 – $83,238 |
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 Hot Springs
In terms of local employment dynamics, only six surgical technologists are currently working in Hot Springs, reflecting a tight job market amidst a cost-of-living index of 86.9. This lower cost of living may enhance purchasing power, allowing residents to maximize their take-home salary. Among various employers, hospital operating rooms typically provide higher salaries compared to ambulatory surgery centers, with specialty centers focused on fields such as cardiovascular and neurosurgery often offering the most lucrative opportunities. Factors influencing the pay range include specialty skills, such as robotic surgery certification and experience in trauma centers, which can command a premium. To optimize earnings in this market, surgical technologists should pursue additional certifications, look for roles with call coverage, and consider travel positions, which often yield higher rates.
More salary data for Hot Springs, AR:
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 $54,986 for surgical technologistsin the Hot Springs 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
Salary data for Hot Springs 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