Surgical Technologist Salary in East Honolulu, HI: $79,689 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in East Honolulu, HI earns a median $79,689/year (≈ $38.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in East Honolulu's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $66,797 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the projected salary for surgical technologists in East Honolulu is estimated to reach $79,689, significantly surpassing the national median of $68,141. Within this market, salaries range from $56,448 at the lower end to as high as $119,609 for the most experienced professionals. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions, including a cost-of-living index of 119.3, which is above the national average. This rising salary trend reflects the increased demand for specialized skills, particularly those related to robotic surgery, making technologists with certification in robotic-assisted procedures highly sought after in East Honolulu’s surgical facilities.
About the East Honolulu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,448 | $27.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,663 | $32.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,689 | $38.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,709 | $45.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119,609 | $57.51 |
Median Salary Position
16.95% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in East Honolulu
In East Honolulu, HI, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,161 (2026 est.). At $79,689, the local median is 16.95% above the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in East Honolulu: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How East Honolulu Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
East Honolulu median: $79,689/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | East Honolulu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $81,315 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | +16.95% more |
Surgical Technologists in East Honolulu, HI earn a median of $79,689 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.95% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 2.00% below the Hawaii state average of $81,315.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
East Honolulu has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
East Honolulu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,689 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $66,797 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,485
2025 BLS Actual
$75,606
2026 Current Est.
$79,689
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in East Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,485 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,134 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,754 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,443 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,881 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,016 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,606 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,689 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,992 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the East Honolulu metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $56,485 (2019) to $75,606 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,992 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,507 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the East Honolulu 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) | $56,448 – $66,663 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,663 – $79,689 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,689 – $94,709 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,709 – $119,609 |
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 East Honolulu
The job market for surgical technologists in East Honolulu consists of about 12 professionals, emphasizing a competitive environment where specialized skills can greatly impact earnings. The higher-than-average cost of living affects take-home pay, making it essential for surgical technologists to maximize their compensation. Employers in hospital operating rooms, specialty surgical centers (like orthopedic and cardiothoracic), and even travel surgical tech agencies typically offer the best pay. Factors influencing pay disparities include the type of specialty—cardiovascular and neurosurgery techs earn more than their counterparts in general surgery—along with considerations such as call coverage, robotic surgery certification stipends, and trauma center designations. To enhance earning potential, engaging in continuous education and acquiring certifications can lead to better-paying roles and opportunities in East Honolulu HI.
More salary data for East Honolulu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can surgical technologists make $100K in East Honolulu?
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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 $75,606 for surgical technologistsin the East Honolulu 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 East Honolulu 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