Surgical Technologist Salary in Fort Wayne, IN: $66,550 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Fort Wayne, IN earns a median $66,550/year (≈ $31.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Fort Wayne's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.6), that paycheck buys what $71,890 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Wayne, Indiana, surgical technologists can expect to earn a competitive median annual salary of $66,550 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $68,141. The salary range within this profession spans from $60,784 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $83,983 at the higher end (90th percentile), reflecting the demand and specialty-focus within the field. With particular expertise in cardiovascular and neurosurgery, surgical technologists in these specialties often command a premium, significantly enhancing their earning potential. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and illustrates a promising job market in Fort Wayne for surgical technologists as the healthcare sector continues to grow.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,784 | $29.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,497 | $31.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,550 | $31.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,983 | $40.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,983 | $40.38 |
Median Salary Position
2.33% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Wayne
In Fort Wayne, IN, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,199 (2026 est.). At $66,550, the local median is 2.33% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Wayne: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Wayne Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Fort Wayne median: $66,550/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Wayne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $66,616 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -2.33% less |
Surgical Technologists in Fort Wayne, IN earn a median of $66,550 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.33% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 0.10% below the Indiana state average of $66,616.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Wayne has a cost of living 7.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Wayne, IN has a cost-of-living index of 92.572 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $66,550 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,890 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.02% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,310
2025 BLS Actual
$63,140
2026 Current Est.
$66,550
2019–2027 Growth
+45.2%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Fort Wayne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,730 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,870 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,860 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,140 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,550 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,143 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Wayne metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 30.7% from $48,310 (2019) to $63,140 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,143 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,833 (45.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Wayne 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) | $60,784 – $66,497 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,497 – $66,550 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,550 – $83,983 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,983 – $83,983 |
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 Fort Wayne
Considering the employment landscape, Fort Wayne currently employs about 210 surgical technologists, demonstrating a steady demand for skilled professionals. The cost of living index in Fort Wayne is reasonably favorable at 92.572, enhancing purchasing power despite slightly lower salaries compared to the national average. Health systems and specialty surgical centers in the area tend to offer the highest pay, particularly for those focusing on orthopedic or cardiothoracic surgeries. Factors such as specialty coverage, availability of robotic surgery certification, and roles that require surgical first assistants can create a wide pay discrepancy. For surgical technologists looking to maximize their compensation in Fort Wayne, obtaining certifications in robotic surgery while seeking opportunities in specialized units and facilities is a strategic approach to increase both skill set and pay grade in this competitive environment.
More salary data for Fort Wayne, 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 $63,140 for surgical technologistsin the Fort Wayne 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