Surgical Technologist Salary in Waltham, MA: $80,522 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Waltham, MA earns a median $80,522/year (≈ $38.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Waltham's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $74,214 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Surgical technologists in Waltham, Massachusetts, can expect to see a median annual salary of $80,522 in 2026. This figure not only reflects the competitive local market but also highlights a significant premium over the national median salary of $68,141 for the same year. Local estimates suggest a salary range spanning from $58,533 at the lower tenth percentile to $120,141 at the higher ninetieth percentile. These projections consider regional price adjustments and state-level data to paint a clearer picture of surgical technologist pay in Waltham, revealing a strong demand for skilled professionals, particularly in diverse surgical settings such as hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialized surgical facilities.
About the Waltham Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,533 | $28.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,499 | $32.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,522 | $38.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,088 | $48.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,141 | $57.76 |
Median Salary Position
18.17% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waltham
In Waltham, MA, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,608 (2026 est.). At $80,522, the local median is 18.17% above the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waltham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waltham Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Waltham median: $80,522/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waltham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $82,757 | -2.70% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | +18.17% more |
Surgical Technologists in Waltham, MA earn a median of $80,522 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.17% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 2.70% below the Massachusetts state average of $82,757.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waltham has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waltham, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,522 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,214 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,076
2025 BLS Actual
$76,397
2026 Current Est.
$80,522
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Waltham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,076 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,742 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,348 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,128 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,623 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,795 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,397 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,522 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,871 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waltham metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $57,076 (2019) to $76,397 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,871 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,795 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waltham 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) | $58,533 – $68,499 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,499 – $80,522 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,522 – $101,088 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,088 – $120,141 |
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 Waltham
With 11 surgical technologists employed in Waltham, the job market is relatively concentrated, suggesting a competitive environment for these positions. The cost of living index in the area is 108.5, indicating higher living costs compared to the national average. Therefore, purchasing power can be a critical consideration for prospective surgical technologists. Among the various employers, those operating within hospital settings typically offer higher salaries, especially for roles involving specialized skills, such as in orthopedic or cardiovascular surgery. Factors contributing to the spread in salaries include call coverage requirements, additional certifications like robotic surgery, and the complexity of surgical procedures handled. To maximize earnings in Waltham's market, surgical technologists should consider pursuing further education and specialization, obtaining credentials that address emerging trends in surgical technology, and seeking opportunities for advancement, such as transitioning into roles with greater responsibility or participating in high-demand surgical specialties.
More salary data for Waltham, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can surgical technologists make $100K in Waltham?
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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 $76,397 for surgical technologistsin the Waltham 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 Waltham 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