Surgical Technologist Salary in DeKalb, IL: $63,050 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in DeKalb, IL earns a median $63,050/year (≈ $30.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in DeKalb's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $64,933 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In DeKalb, IL, surgical technologists can expect a median annual salary of $63,050 in 2026, a figure that falls about 7.47% below the national median of $68,141. Local estimates indicate that salaries range from $48,198 at the 10th percentile to $94,597 at the 90th percentile, offering a substantial variation based on experience and specialty. This specialty premium is especially pronounced for those involved in cardiovascular or neurosurgery, where surgical technologists can considerably increase their compensation. The salaries presented here are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors, giving a clearer picture of earnings potential within DeKalb's job market.
About the DeKalb Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,198 | $23.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,160 | $26.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,050 | $30.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,911 | $36.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,597 | $45.48 |
Median Salary Position
7.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in DeKalb
In DeKalb, IL, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,399 (2026 est.). At $63,050, the local median is 7.47% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in DeKalb: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How DeKalb Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
DeKalb median: $63,050/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | DeKalb Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $65,541 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -7.47% less |
Surgical Technologists in DeKalb, IL earn a median of $63,050 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.47% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 3.80% below the Illinois state average of $65,541.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
DeKalb has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
DeKalb, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $63,050 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,933 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,692
2025 BLS Actual
$59,820
2026 Current Est.
$63,050
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in DeKalb (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,692 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,996 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,904 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,779 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,082 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,194 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,820 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,050 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,455 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the DeKalb metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.8% from $44,692 (2019) to $59,820 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,455 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,763 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the DeKalb 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) | $48,198 – $55,160 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,160 – $63,050 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,050 – $74,911 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,911 – $94,597 |
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 DeKalb
Currently, only nine surgical technologists are employed in DeKalb, reflecting a smaller job market that may lead to fewer opportunities but potentially also less competition. The cost-of-living index in DeKalb is 97.1, which is slightly below the national average, indicating that take-home purchasing power may be relatively favorable for those working in the area. Notably, operating rooms in hospitals and specialty surgical centers, particularly those focusing on orthopedic or cardiothoracic procedures, tend to offer the highest pay. Factors influencing the pay disparity include specialization in high-demand fields, such as robotic surgery certification or roles that involve first-assistant responsibilities during surgical procedures. For surgical technologists looking to maximize their salaries in DeKalb, pursuing additional certifications or considering travel surgical tech positions may lead to enhanced earnings potential.
More salary data for DeKalb, IL:
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 $59,820 for surgical technologistsin the DeKalb 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 DeKalb 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