Surgical Technologist Salary in St. Charles, MO: $65,141 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in St. Charles, MO earns a median $65,141/year (≈ $31.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in St. Charles's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $72,702 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Charles, MO, surgical technologists can expect a median annual salary of $65,141 in 2026, which sits slightly below the national median of $68,141. Local estimates project a salary range from $46,151 at the 10th percentile to $95,525 at the 90th percentile. These figures account for cost-of-living adjustments based on regional price disparities, making it essential for aspiring surgical technologists to consider the structural choices of their workplaces. Hospitals tend to offer more stability and comprehensive benefits, while ambulatory surgical centers and specialty surgical centers might provide more competitive pay structures. Consequently, the job market in St. Charles reflects the growing demand for qualified surgical technologists as advancements in surgical practices continue to emerge.
About the St. Charles Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,151 | $22.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,515 | $26.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,141 | $31.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,553 | $38.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,525 | $45.92 |
Median Salary Position
4.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Charles
In St. Charles, MO, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,374 (2026 est.). At $65,141, the local median is 4.4% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Charles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Charles Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
St. Charles median: $65,141/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Charles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $64,433 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $68,141 | -4.40% less |
Surgical Technologists in St. Charles, MO earn a median of $65,141 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.40% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 1.10% above the Missouri state average of $64,433.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Charles has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
St. Charles, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $65,141 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,702 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,174
2025 BLS Actual
$61,804
2026 Current Est.
$65,141
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in St. Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,174 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,522 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,394 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,497 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,942 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,113 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,804 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,141 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,659 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Charles metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $46,174 (2019) to $61,804 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,659 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,485 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Charles 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) | $46,151 – $54,515 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,515 – $65,141 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,141 – $79,553 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,553 – $95,525 |
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 St. Charles
With only 16 surgical technologists currently employed in the area, job opportunities may seem limited but they are strategically positioned within a favorable cost-of-living environment, marked by an index of 89.6. This indicates that while salaries may be a bit lower than the national average, the purchasing power for surgical technologists in St. Charles is relatively robust. Among local employers, hospital operating rooms typically offer the most substantial compensation, while specialty centers focused on fields such as cardiovascular and neurosurgery often provide bonuses for advanced certifications like robotic surgery training and surgical first assistant roles. This variation in pay highlights the influence of specialty area, call coverage demands, and trauma center designations. For those aiming to maximize their pay, pursuing certifications and roles in high-demand specialties or considering travel surgical tech positions can significantly enhance earning potential in the local market.
More salary data for St. Charles, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can surgical technologists make $100K in St. Charles?
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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 $61,804 for surgical technologistsin the St. Charles 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 St. Charles 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