Surgical Technologist Salary in Nicholasville, KY: $59,928 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Nicholasville, KY earns a median $59,928/year (≈ $28.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Nicholasville's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $67,109 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, surgical technologists in Nicholasville, KY, can expect a median annual salary of $59,928. This figure represents a competitive entry point compared to the national median of $68,141, indicating a 12.05% wage difference. The salary range for this profession locally spans from $43,108 at the 10th percentile to $84,537 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the potential for variation based on experience, specialization, and certification levels, particularly with advances in robotic surgery training. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for the local cost of living, provide insight into the dynamics of the job market in Nicholasville, where demand is expected to grow in alignment with the overall growth rate of 5.40% annually.
About the Nicholasville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,108 | $20.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,490 | $24.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,928 | $28.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,605 | $34.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,537 | $40.64 |
Median Salary Position
12.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nicholasville
In Nicholasville, KY, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,429 (2026 est.). At $59,928, the local median is 12.05% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Nicholasville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Nicholasville Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Nicholasville median: $59,928/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nicholasville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $60,841 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -12.05% less |
Surgical Technologists in Nicholasville, KY earn a median of $59,928 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.05% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 1.50% below the Kentucky state average of $60,841.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nicholasville has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Nicholasville, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $59,928 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,109 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,479
2025 BLS Actual
$56,858
2026 Current Est.
$59,928
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Nicholasville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,479 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,719 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,681 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,215 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,305 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,974 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,858 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,928 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,164 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nicholasville metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.8% from $42,479 (2019) to $56,858 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,164 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,685 (48.69%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nicholasville 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) | $43,108 – $50,490 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,490 – $59,928 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,928 – $71,605 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,605 – $84,537 |
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 Nicholasville
The local job market for surgical technologists in Nicholasville features a small workforce of just six professionals, indicating a niche environment with specific demands. The cost of living index sits at 89.3, which is lower than the national average, suggesting that the purchasing power of these salaries may be satisfactory for residents. Hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical units such as those focused on orthopedic and cardiothoracic procedures are likely the highest payers in the area. Factors contributing to wage disparities include the type of surgical specialty—cardiovascular and neurosurgery typically yield higher earnings—or additional responsibilities like call coverage and surgical first assistant roles. To maximize earnings, pursuing certifications in robotic surgery or seeking travel surgical technologist positions can prove beneficial, given the premium pay associated with these opportunities in the broader medical landscape.
More salary data for Nicholasville, KY:
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 $56,858 for surgical technologistsin the Nicholasville 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 Nicholasville 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