Surgical Technologist Salary in Corpus Christi, TX: $53,448 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Corpus Christi, TX earns a median $53,448/year (≈ $25.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Corpus Christi's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $57,675 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 19.2% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for surgical technologists in Corpus Christi is projected to be $53,448, reflecting the competitive nature of this profession in the region. Surgical technologists can expect earnings that range from $41,812 at the lower end of the market to as high as $81,769 for those with specialized skills or extensive experience. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and exhibit a more localized market compared to the national median salary of $68,141, indicating that professionals in Corpus Christi earn approximately 21.56% less. The opportunities for specialization, particularly in high-demand areas like cardiovascular and neuro surgery, can significantly enhance earning potential and represent a crucial avenue for career advancement in this city.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,812 | $20.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,141 | $25.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,448 | $25.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,969 | $31.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,769 | $39.31 |
Median Salary Position
21.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Corpus Christi
In Corpus Christi, TX, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,957 (2026 est.). At $53,448, the local median is 21.56% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Corpus Christi: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Corpus Christi Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Corpus Christi median: $53,448/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Corpus Christi Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $66,149 | -19.20% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -21.56% less |
Surgical Technologists in Corpus Christi, TX earn a median of $53,448 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.56% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 19.20% below the Texas state average of $66,149.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Corpus Christi has a cost of living 7.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Corpus Christi, TX has a cost-of-living index of 92.671 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $53,448 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,675 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.91% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,040
2025 BLS Actual
$50,710
2026 Current Est.
$53,448
2019–2027 Growth
+22.4%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Corpus Christi (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,040 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,830 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,470 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,930 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,560 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,710 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,448 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,335 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Corpus Christi metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 10.1% from $46,040 (2019) to $50,710 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,335 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,295 (22.36%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Corpus Christi 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) | $41,812 – $52,141 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,141 – $53,448 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,448 – $64,969 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,969 – $81,769 |
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 Corpus Christi
The job market for surgical technologists in Corpus Christi is relatively stable, with about 200 individuals employed in this field. The local cost-of-living index stands at 92.671, suggesting that surgical technologists can enjoy a decent purchasing power relative to their earnings. Notably, the highest salaries tend to come from positions within hospital operating rooms, specialized surgical centers, and military/VA surgical units. The substantial wage variance—from basic roles to advanced positions requiring certifications in robotic surgery or specialized areas like cardiothoracic surgery—highlights the influence of additional qualifications on pay. Maximizing salary in the Corpus Christi market may involve pursuing these certifications and considering roles that include call coverage and trauma center designation, which often include stipends or premiums for surgical first assistants. Embracing further specialization ultimately serves to bolster both earning potential and career longevity in this essential healthcare role.
More salary data for Corpus Christi, 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 $50,710 for surgical technologistsin the Corpus Christi 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, 7-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