Surgical Technologist Salary in Elkhart, IN: $63,619 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Elkhart, IN earns a median $63,619/year (≈ $30.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Elkhart's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $70,433 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, surgical technologists in Elkhart, Indiana, are projected to earn a median salary of $63,619, which falls below the national average of $68,141. The salary range extends from $39,377 at the 10th percentile to $85,732 at the 90th percentile, indicating a variety of earning potential in local surgical roles. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflect the demand for surgical technologists across different environments, including hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), and specialty surgical facilities. The composition and needs of surgical departments in Elkhart can greatly influence compensation levels, creating distinct opportunities for those entering the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,377 | $18.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,944 | $25.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,619 | $30.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,798 | $34.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,732 | $41.22 |
Median Salary Position
6.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elkhart
In Elkhart, IN, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,355 (2026 est.). At $63,619, the local median is 6.64% below the national median of $68,141.
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At 40 hours/week in Elkhart: You'd be above the median
How Elkhart Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Elkhart median: $63,619/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elkhart Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $66,617 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -6.64% less |
Surgical Technologists in Elkhart, IN earn a median of $63,619 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.64% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 4.50% below the Indiana state average of $66,617.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elkhart has a cost of living 9.67% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elkhart, IN has a cost-of-living index of 90.325 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $63,619 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,433 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.71% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,750
2025 BLS Actual
$60,360
2026 Current Est.
$63,619
2019–2027 Growth
+46.6%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Elkhart (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,360 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,720 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,550 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,900 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,360 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,619 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,055 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elkhart metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 31.9% from $45,750 (2019) to $60,360 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,055 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,305 (46.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elkhart 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) | $39,377 – $53,944 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,944 – $63,619 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,619 – $71,798 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,798 – $85,732 |
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 Elkhart
Looking deeper into the job market, there are currently 60 surgical technologists employed in Elkhart, which speaks to a localized demand for this profession. The cost-of-living index in the area, currently at 90.325, suggests that take-home salaries provide reasonable purchasing power, although they still may not fully match the rising costs faced by workers in similar positions nationwide. Employers such as hospital operating rooms typically offer higher wages than ASCs or specialty surgical centers, particularly for roles requiring certifications in advanced techniques like robotic surgery. To enhance their earning potential, surgical technologists should pursue specialty certifications, seek positions in trauma centers, and consider roles that may require on-call availability or extra training, such as surgical first assistant positions. Understanding the local landscape can significantly impact how much surgical technologists make in Elkhart, IN.
More salary data for Elkhart, 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 $60,360 for surgical technologistsin the Elkhart 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