Surgical Technologist Salary in Bloomington, IN: $66,613 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Bloomington, IN earns a median $66,613/year (≈ $32.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Bloomington's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.1), that paycheck buys what $70,057 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, the surgical technologist salary in Bloomington is projected to reach a median of $66,613, which is slightly below the national median of $68,141. This figure is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data and illustrates a competitive compensation landscape for surgical technologists in the area, where salaries range from $54,945 at the 10th percentile to $80,441 at the 90th percentile. The growing demand for certified surgical technologists, particularly those with robotic surgery certifications, continues to enhance salary prospects in Bloomington. With 80 surgical technologists currently employed in the city, job seekers can find promising opportunities that reflect the ongoing advancements in medical technology.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,945 | $26.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,251 | $30.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,613 | $32.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,680 | $37.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,441 | $38.67 |
Median Salary Position
2.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bloomington
In Bloomington, IN, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,496 (2026 est.). At $66,613, the local median is 2.24% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bloomington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bloomington Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Bloomington median: $66,613/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bloomington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $68,141 | -2.24% less |
Surgical Technologists in Bloomington, IN earn a median of $66,613 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.24% lower than the national median of $68,141.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bloomington has a cost of living 4.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bloomington, IN has a cost-of-living index of 95.084 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $66,613 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,057 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,390
2025 BLS Actual
$63,200
2026 Current Est.
$66,613
2019–2027 Growth
+39.3%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Bloomington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,390 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,070 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,650 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,705 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,251 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,613 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,210 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bloomington metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 25.4% from $50,390 (2019) to $63,200 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,210 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,820 (39.33%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bloomington 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) | $54,945 – $63,251 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,251 – $66,613 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,613 – $77,680 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,680 – $80,441 |
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 Bloomington
The local job market for surgical technologists is buoyed by the cost of living index in Bloomington, which stands at 95.084—indicative of a lower-than-average living expense compared to national metrics. This situation provides a favorable environment for surgical technologist pay in Bloomington, IN, as take-home earnings stretch further due to the reduced cost of goods and services. Employers in the region, including hospital operating rooms and specialty surgical centers, tend to offer more competitive wages, particularly in high-demand areas such as cardiovascular or neuro surgery. Factors influencing the pay disparity encompass specialization, on-call coverage, and the added benefits of robotic surgery certifications, which are becoming increasingly valued. For those looking to maximize their surgical technologist pay in Bloomington, pursuing certifications relevant to emerging technologies and seeking roles with higher responsibility can be advantageous strategies in a robust market.
More salary data for Bloomington, IN:
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 $63,200 for surgical technologistsin the Bloomington 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, 5-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