Surgical Technologist Salary in Columbus, GA: $61,311 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Columbus, GA earns a median $61,311/year (≈ $29.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Columbus's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $68,660 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, a surgical technologist in Columbus, Georgia, can expect a median annual salary of $61,311. This figure, drawn from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, falls below the national median of $68,141, highlighting the regional market's variation. The salary range in Columbus spans from $42,171 at the 10th percentile to $66,676 at the 90th percentile, indicating a spectrum of entry-level to experienced positions. The structure of the local healthcare system, which includes hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), and specialty surgical centers, can significantly influence individual compensation, with different employers offering varying pay scales based on the complexity and nature of the surgical services provided.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,171 | $20.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,057 | $25.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,311 | $29.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,904 | $30.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66,676 | $32.05 |
Median Salary Position
10.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbus
In Columbus, GA, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,505 (2026 est.). At $61,311, the local median is 10.02% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbus: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Columbus Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Columbus median: $61,311/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbus Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $63,142 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -10.02% less |
Surgical Technologists in Columbus, GA earn a median of $61,311 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.02% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 2.90% below the Georgia state average of $63,142.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbus has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbus, GA has a cost-of-living index of 89.296 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $61,311 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,660 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.99% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$39,440
2025 BLS Actual
$58,170
2026 Current Est.
$61,311
2019–2027 Growth
+63.8%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,440 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,580 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,930 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,980 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,370 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,170 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,311 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,622 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbus metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 47.5% from $39,440 (2019) to $58,170 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,622 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,182 (63.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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) | $42,171 – $52,057 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,057 – $61,311 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,311 – $63,904 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,904 – $66,676 |
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 Columbus
With approximately 120 surgical technologists employed in the area, the job market in Columbus exhibits a moderate level of demand amid a cost-of-living index of 89.296, indicating a lower-than-average living expense compared to national standards. This lower cost of living enhances the purchasing power of salaries in the region, making opportunities more appealing. Among local employers, surgical technologists working in specialized surgical centers, particularly in fields such as cardiovascular or neurosurgery, often enjoy higher compensation compared to their counterparts in general surgical practices. Factors contributing to differences in pay include specialty certifications, particularly in robotic surgery, as well as roles involving callback duties or trauma center designations. For those looking to maximize their surgical technologist salary in Columbus, gaining additional certifications such as the Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) or targeting employment in high-demand specialties can be advantageous for elevating pay potential.
More salary data for Columbus, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Columbus, GA in 2026?
Is Columbus, GA a good place to work as a surgical technologist?
Can surgical technologists make $100K in Columbus?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted surgical technologist salary in Columbus?
How much does a surgical technologist make per hour in Columbus?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Georgia
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 $58,170 for surgical technologistsin the Columbus 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, 7-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