Surgical Technologist Salary in Reading, PA: $64,750 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Reading, PA earns a median $64,750/year (≈ $31.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Reading's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $66,478 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The surgical technologist salary in Reading, PA, is projected to reach $64,750 in 2026. This figure positions the local earnings approximately 4.98% below the national median of $68,141 for the same year. Surgical technologists in the area can expect a salary range between $46,521 at the lower end and $98,121 at the upper end, reflecting a diverse opportunity landscape. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, highlight Reading's job market dynamics, where specialty surgical centers, as well as hospital operating rooms, provide distinct earnings potential that
About the Reading Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,521 | $22.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,672 | $26.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,750 | $31.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,977 | $38.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,121 | $47.18 |
Median Salary Position
4.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Reading
In Reading, PA, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,600 (2026 est.). At $64,750, the local median is 4.98% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Reading: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Reading Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Reading median: $64,750/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Reading Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $65,670 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -4.98% less |
Surgical Technologists in Reading, PA earn a median of $64,750 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.98% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 1.40% below the Pennsylvania state average of $65,670.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Reading has a cost of living 2.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Reading, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $64,750 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,478 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,360
2025 BLS Actual
$61,433
2026 Current Est.
$64,750
2019–2027 Growth
+38.3%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Reading (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,220 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,340 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,433 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,750 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,247 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Reading metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 24.5% from $49,360 (2019) to $61,433 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,247 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,887 (38.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Reading 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) | $46,521 – $54,672 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,672 – $64,750 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,750 – $80,977 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,977 – $98,121 |
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 Reading
directly influence compensation packages.
In Reading, the employment landscape includes only 16 surgical technologists, indicating a limited yet focused local job market. With a cost-of-living index of 97.4, professionals in this field may find their take-home pay stretches further than in higher-cost areas, although it still requires careful financial planning. Among local employers, hospital operating rooms typically offer the highest salaries, particularly for those specializing in high-demand fields like cardiovascular and neurosurgery. Factors influencing pay disparities include specialty area, certification in robotic surgery, call coverage requirements, and the nuances of the surgical first assistant role. To maximize earnings in Reading, surgical technologists should pursue certifications that enhance skill sets, such as CST or CSFA, focus on continuous education, and consider opportunities with travel surgical tech agencies, which often provide more lucrative compensation packages compared to static positions.
More salary data for Reading, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Reading, PA in 2026?
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Can surgical technologists make $100K in Reading?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted surgical technologist salary in Reading?
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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 $61,433 for surgical technologistsin the Reading 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 Reading 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