Surgical Technologist Salary in Linden, NJ: $76,853 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Linden, NJ earns a median $76,853/year (≈ $36.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Linden's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $66,713 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, surgical technologists in Linden, New Jersey, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $76,853, which is notably higher than the national median of $68,141. The salary range for this role in the area is between $54,602 at the 10th percentile and $110,237 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, influenced by regional price parity and BLS state-level data, reflect the competitive market for surgical technologists within various healthcare settings. Local factors, including the choice between hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical centers, significantly impact compensation levels. With minimal employment of only 7 surgical technologists currently in Linden, it's evident that specialized skills may dictate higher pay in this niche job market.
About the Linden Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,602 | $26.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,172 | $30.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,853 | $36.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,997 | $44.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,237 | $53.00 |
Median Salary Position
12.79% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Linden
In Linden, NJ, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,635 (2026 est.). At $76,853, the local median is 12.79% above the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Linden: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Linden Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Linden median: $76,853/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Linden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $78,502 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | +12.79% more |
Surgical Technologists in Linden, NJ earn a median of $76,853 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.79% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 2.10% below the New Jersey state average of $78,502.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Linden has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Linden, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $76,853 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $66,713 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,476
2025 BLS Actual
$72,916
2026 Current Est.
$76,853
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Linden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,476 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,066 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,735 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,115 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,359 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,927 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,916 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,853 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,004 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Linden metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.8% from $54,476 (2019) to $72,916 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,004 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,528 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Linden 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) | $54,602 – $64,172 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,172 – $76,853 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,853 – $92,997 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,997 – $110,237 |
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 Linden
Despite the attractive median salary, the cost of living in Linden is a consideration for aspiring surgical technologists, with a cost-of-living index of 115.2. This means that purchasing power is somewhat constrained compared to the national average. Surgical technologists looking to maximize their pay could benefit from seeking employment in high-demand specialties such as cardiovascular or neurosurgery, which typically offer higher compensation than general surgery roles. Additionally, obtaining certifications in robotic surgery could serve as a valuable differentiator for job seekers. Given the area's limited employment opportunities in this field, those willing to expand their search to travel surgical tech positions may find greater flexibility and potential earnings, especially during peak seasons when demand surges.
More salary data for Linden, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can surgical technologists make $100K in Linden?
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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 $72,916 for surgical technologistsin the Linden 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 Linden 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