Surgical Technologist Salary in Santa Fe, NM: $64,949 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Santa Fe, NM earns a median $64,949/year (≈ $31.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Santa Fe's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $68,802 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Santa Fe, New Mexico, the average annual surgical technologist salary is projected to reach $64,949 in 2026, slightly lower than the national median of $68,141. The salary range reflects the diverse demand and specialty roles within the healthcare sector, starting at $45,857 for entry-level positions and potentially soaring to $97,580 for highly skilled technicians. These figures are based on 2025 BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) data, adjusted for local cost of living factors. The job market in Santa Fe is influenced by the area's unique healthcare facilities, including hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical centers focused on fields such as orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, all of which require surgical technologists to ensure quality patient care.
About the Santa Fe Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,857 | $22.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,235 | $26.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,949 | $31.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,520 | $38.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,580 | $46.91 |
Median Salary Position
4.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Fe
In Santa Fe, NM, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,723 (2026 est.). At $64,949, the local median is 4.68% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Fe: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Fe Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Santa Fe median: $64,949/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Fe Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $64,305 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $68,141 | -4.68% less |
Surgical Technologists in Santa Fe, NM earn a median of $64,949 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.68% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 1.00% above the New Mexico state average of $64,305.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Fe has a cost of living 5.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Fe, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $64,949 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,802 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$46,037
2025 BLS Actual
$61,621
2026 Current Est.
$64,949
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Santa Fe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,037 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,381 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,338 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,520 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,621 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,949 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,456 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Fe metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $46,037 (2019) to $61,621 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,456 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,419 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Fe 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) | $45,857 – $54,235 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,235 – $64,949 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,949 – $80,520 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,520 – $97,580 |
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 Santa Fe
Currently, there are 20 surgical technologists employed in the Santa Fe area, which indicates a localized market for this vital role. With a cost-of-living index of 94.4, the purchasing power for surgical technologists in this region is favorable compared to many other areas. Typically, hospitals offer the highest pay among local employers, particularly those with specialized surgical units. The broad salary range can be attributed to various factors such as specialization—surgical technologists in cardiovascular and neurosurgery tend to earn more than those in general surgery, driven by the complexities involved. To maximize earnings in Santa Fe, pursuing certifications in robotic surgery, expanding skills to take on roles like surgical first assistants, and being open to travel positions can significantly enhance both prospects and compensation.
More salary data for Santa Fe, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Santa Fe, NM in 2026?
Is Santa Fe, NM a good place to work as a surgical technologist?
Can surgical technologists make $100K in Santa Fe?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted surgical technologist salary in Santa Fe?
How much does a surgical technologist make per hour in Santa Fe?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Mexico
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 $61,621 for surgical technologistsin the Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe 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