Surgical Technologist Salary in Moline, IL: $64,918 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Moline, IL earns a median $64,918/year (≈ $31.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Moline's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $66,857 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the surgical technologist salary in Moline, Illinois, is projected to reach a median of $64,918, positioning it slightly below the national median of $68,141. This figure reflects a broad salary range from $46,748 at the 10th percentile to $92,038 at the 90th percentile, highlighting diverse compensation levels based on experience, specialty, and certifications. Estimates for this data are derived from 2025 BLS state-level figures adjusted for local economic conditions. The increasing prevalence of robotic surgery certification is influencing pay in the area, as institutions seek skilled technologists capable of enhancing their surgical procedures. Given the growing health services sector in Moline, job opportunities are expected to remain robust for surgical technologists.
About the Moline Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,748 | $22.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,870 | $26.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,918 | $31.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,101 | $38.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,038 | $44.25 |
Median Salary Position
4.73% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moline
In Moline, IL, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,290 (2026 est.). At $64,918, the local median is 4.73% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Moline: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Moline Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Moline median: $64,918/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Moline Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $65,508 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -4.73% less |
Surgical Technologists in Moline, IL earn a median of $64,918 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.73% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 0.90% below the Illinois state average of $65,508.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Moline 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.
Moline, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $64,918 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,857 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,015
2025 BLS Actual
$61,592
2026 Current Est.
$64,918
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Moline (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,015 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,359 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,234 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,313 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,743 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,596 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,592 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,918 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,424 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Moline metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $46,015 (2019) to $61,592 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,424 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,409 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moline 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) | $46,748 – $54,870 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,870 – $64,918 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,918 – $79,101 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,101 – $92,038 |
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 Moline
In Moline, the job market for surgical technologists is characterized by a small but stable workforce of 10 employed individuals in this field. With a cost of living index at 97.1, salaries in Moline allow for a relatively decent purchasing power compared to other regions, albeit lower than the national average. Among local employers, hospital operating rooms tend to offer the most competitive remuneration, followed by specialized facilities like orthopedic and cardiothoracic centers. Factors such as specialty training in areas like neurosurgery and robotic surgery certification can significantly enhance earning potential, while roles that demand on-call coverage also tend to offer higher pay rates. For those seeking to maximize their surgical technologist pay in Moline, focusing on obtaining additional certifications such as the CST and considering employment in high-demand specialties or travel surgical tech positions can provide better financial outcomes.
More salary data for Moline, 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 $61,592 for surgical technologistsin the Moline 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 Moline 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