Surgical Technologist Salary in Lancaster, PA: $66,065 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Lancaster, PA earns a median $66,065/year (≈ $31.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Lancaster's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.3), that paycheck buys what $67,237 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the projected median salary for surgical technologists in 2026 is $66,065. This compensation positions local surgical technologists slightly below the national median of $68,141, reflecting a difference of 3.05%. The salary range for this role extends from $51,319 at the 10th percentile to $81,327 at the 90th percentile, showcasing significant variability in earnings. These figures come from extensive analysis based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and highlight the impact of regional certifications, such as robotic surgery, which are becoming increasingly valuable for enhancing compensation. With a respectable job market presence of 240 surgical technologists employed in the area, Lancaster offers a strategic opportunity for those entering the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,319 | $24.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,784 | $25.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,065 | $31.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,702 | $37.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,327 | $39.10 |
Median Salary Position
3.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lancaster
In Lancaster, PA, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,008 (2026 est.). At $66,065, the local median is 3.05% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lancaster: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lancaster Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Lancaster median: $66,065/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lancaster Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $65,671 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $68,141 | -3.05% less |
Surgical Technologists in Lancaster, PA earn a median of $66,065 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.05% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 0.60% above the Pennsylvania state average of $65,671.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lancaster has a cost of living 1.74% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lancaster, PA has a cost-of-living index of 98.257 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $66,065 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,237 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,500
2025 BLS Actual
$62,680
2026 Current Est.
$66,065
2019–2027 Growth
+56.5%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Lancaster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,500 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,070 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,051 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,255 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,680 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,065 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,632 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lancaster metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 40.9% from $44,500 (2019) to $62,680 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,632 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,132 (56.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lancaster 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) | $51,319 – $52,784 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,784 – $66,065 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,065 – $78,702 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,702 – $81,327 |
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 Lancaster
The cost of living in Lancaster, with a CoL index of 98.257, provides an advantageous setting for surgical technologists, allowing potential earnings to translate into substantial take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, the highest pay typically comes from hospital operating rooms, specialty surgical centers, and ambulatory surgery facilities, with military and VA surgical units also offering competitive rates. Differences in pay can be attributed to various factors such as specialty focus—cardiovascular and neurosurgery roles generally command the highest wages, while certification in robotic surgery can attract additional stipends. Strategies to optimize salary potential include pursuing advanced certifications to qualify for higher-skilled roles, such as surgical first assistants. Engaging with travel surgical tech agencies can also offer lucrative opportunities in an industry experiencing a growth rate of 5.40% annually, supporting both professional advancement and improved earnings in Lancaster PA.
More salary data for Lancaster, PA:
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 $62,680 for surgical technologistsin the Lancaster 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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