Surgical Technologist Salary in Bridgewater, NJ: $77,305 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Bridgewater, NJ earns a median $77,305/year (≈ $37.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Bridgewater's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $67,105 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Surgical technologists in Bridgewater, NJ, can expect a median annual salary of $77,305 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $68,141 by approximately 13.45%. Salary estimates, which range from $55,351 at the P10 level to $109,228 at the P90 level, reflect local data drawn from 2025 BLS estimates projected to 2026, along with regional cost of living adjustments that account for Bridgewater's above-average cost of living index of 115.2. The job opportunities in this area are nuanced by the presence of diverse surgical facilities, including hospital operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical centers. Diverse employment structures offer varying pay scales and work environments, resulting in a competitive job market for surgical technology professionals.
About the Bridgewater Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,351 | $26.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,107 | $31.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,305 | $37.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,300 | $44.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,228 | $52.51 |
Median Salary Position
13.45% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bridgewater
In Bridgewater, NJ, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,877 (2026 est.). At $77,305, the local median is 13.45% above the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bridgewater: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bridgewater Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Bridgewater median: $77,305/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bridgewater Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $78,482 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | +13.45% more |
Surgical Technologists in Bridgewater, NJ earn a median of $77,305 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.45% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 1.50% below the New Jersey state average of $78,482.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bridgewater has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bridgewater, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,305 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $67,105 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,795
2025 BLS Actual
$73,344
2026 Current Est.
$77,305
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Bridgewater (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,795 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,395 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,056 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,485 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,761 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,337 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,344 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,305 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,479 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bridgewater metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $54,795 (2019) to $73,344 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,479 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,684 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bridgewater 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) | $55,351 – $65,107 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,107 – $77,305 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,305 – $92,300 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,300 – $109,228 |
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 Bridgewater
In Bridgewater, the job market for surgical technologists shows a robust strength with only 10 professionals employed locally, creating a sense of exclusivity and demand for skilled technicians. However, the elevated cost of living at 115.2 poses challenges to take-home pay, requiring professionals to strategize effectively for their financial well-being. Within this city, employers offering the highest pay tend to be those operating specialized surgical centers, particularly in fields such as cardiovascular or neurosurgery. Additionally, factors such as call coverage, the necessity of advanced certifications like robotic surgery, and positions such as surgical first assistants traditionally offer higher compensation. To maximize earnings in Bridgewater, surgical technologists should seek opportunities to specialize or obtain qualifications that align with in-demand skills and demonstrate ongoing professional development as recognized by the AST and NBSTSA standards.
More salary data for Bridgewater, NJ:
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 $73,344 for surgical technologistsin the Bridgewater 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 Bridgewater 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