Surgical Technologist Salary in Brownsville, TX: $66,113 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Brownsville, TX earns a median $66,113/year (≈ $31.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Brownsville's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $68,868 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Surgical technologists in Brownsville, Texas, can expect a median pay of $66,113 in 2026, which slightly trails the national median of $68,141. The local salary range extends from $47,838 at the lower end to $102,475 for those at the top of their field. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflects the local job market realities while accounting for regional price variances. With a notable focus on specialty areas such as cardiovascular and neurosurgery, surgical techs in these subspecialties often command higher salaries, reinforcing the importance of targeted skills and certifications in enhancing earning potential.
About the Brownsville Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,838 | $23.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,234 | $27.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,113 | $31.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,376 | $38.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,475 | $49.26 |
Median Salary Position
2.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brownsville
In Brownsville, TX, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,637 (2026 est.). At $66,113, the local median is 2.98% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brownsville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brownsville Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Brownsville median: $66,113/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brownsville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $68,141 | -2.98% less |
Surgical Technologists in Brownsville, TX earn a median of $66,113 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.98% lower than the national median of $68,141.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brownsville has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brownsville, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $66,113 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,868 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,210
2025 BLS Actual
$62,726
2026 Current Est.
$66,113
2019–2027 Growth
+41.6%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Brownsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,210 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,510 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,086 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,295 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,806 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,748 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,726 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,113 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,683 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brownsville metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 27.5% from $49,210 (2019) to $62,726 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,683 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,473 (41.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brownsville 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) | $47,838 – $56,234 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,234 – $66,113 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,113 – $80,376 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,376 – $102,475 |
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 Brownsville
The job market in Brownsville is relatively modest, with only 34 surgical technologists currently employed in the area, indicating a stable yet competitive landscape. The cost of living index stands at 96, which slightly below the national average means that earnings in surgical technology can provide reasonable purchasing power, particularly for those with advanced certifications like the CST and robotic surgery operation. Employers such as hospital operating rooms and specialty surgical centers tend to offer the highest wages, especially for surgical techs who take on roles requiring additional expertise like first assistance or robotic surgery certification stipends. The disparity in pay often stems from various factors, including the surgical specialty, on-call responsibilities, and certifications. Aspiring surgical technologists should actively consider these elements and seek opportunities that enhance their skill set and credentials to maximize their pay in Brownsville's job market.
More salary data for Brownsville, TX:
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 $62,726 for surgical technologistsin the Brownsville 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 Brownsville 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