Surgical Technologist Salary in Summit, NJ: $73,154 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Summit, NJ earns a median $73,154/year (≈ $35.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Summit's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $63,502 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.8% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Summit, NJ, surgical technologists can expect a median salary of $73,154 in 2026, a figure that is competitive, given that it surpasses the national median of $68,141 by roughly 7.36%. The salary range for this role varies significantly, from $57,626 at the tenth percentile to $103,764 at the ninetieth percentile. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments, reflect the increasing demand for skilled surgical professionals, particularly as advancements in robotic surgery technology continue to shape the field. As the local healthcare sector evolves, those equipped with robotic surgery certifications may find themselves in a more favorable position to negotiate higher pay in Summit's job market.
About the Summit Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,626 | $27.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,955 | $31.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,154 | $35.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,507 | $41.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,764 | $49.89 |
Median Salary Position
7.36% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Summit
In Summit, NJ, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,138 (2026 est.). At $73,154, the local median is 7.36% above the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Summit: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Summit Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Summit median: $73,154/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Summit Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $78,491 | -6.80% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | +7.36% more |
Surgical Technologists in Summit, NJ earn a median of $73,154 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.36% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 6.80% below the New Jersey state average of $78,491.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Summit has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Summit, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $73,154 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $63,502 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,853
2025 BLS Actual
$69,406
2026 Current Est.
$73,154
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Summit (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,853 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,367 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,100 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,077 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,069 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,561 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,406 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,154 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,104 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Summit metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $51,853 (2019) to $69,406 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,104 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,251 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Summit 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) | $57,626 – $64,955 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,955 – $73,154 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,154 – $85,507 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,507 – $103,764 |
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 Summit
With only five surgical technologists employed in the Summit area, the local job market remains niche yet stable. The cost of living, represented by a CoL index of 115.2, indicates that healthcare professionals must consider their take-home purchasing power; salaries in Summit are essential to offsetting the relatively higher living expenses. The highest-paying positions for surgical technologists are typically found in hospital operating rooms, specialty surgical centers focusing on areas like orthopedic or cardiothoracic surgery, and within traveling surgical tech agencies. Factors that contribute to the pay disparity include subspecialty expertise, certifications such as robotic surgery credentials, and roles with additional call coverage duties. To maximize pay in this market, surgical technologists should not only focus on acquiring additional certifications but also explore opportunities within premium specialty fields that command top-tier salaries.
More salary data for Summit, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can surgical technologists make $100K in Summit?
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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 $69,406 for surgical technologistsin the Summit 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 Summit 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