Surgical Technologist Salary in Bristol, VA: $65,233 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Bristol, VA earns a median $65,233/year (≈ $31.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $63,210 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The surgical technologist salary in Bristol, VA, is projected to be $65,233 in 2026, reflecting local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and BEA regional price adjustments. Compensation in this field ranges from $49,344 at the lower end to $92,353 for those at the higher percentile, highlighting the disparity in earnings that can arise based on experience and specialization. Surgical technologists in Bristol typically find employment in various settings including hospital operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical centers. As the demand for skilled professionals continues to grow, the competitive nature of the local job market suggests that opportunities for advancement and higher salaries may be on the horizon for trained technicians.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,344 | $23.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,436 | $27.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,233 | $31.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,743 | $37.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,353 | $44.41 |
Median Salary Position
4.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, VA, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,009 (2026 est.). At $65,233, the local median is 4.27% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Bristol median: $65,233/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $70,294 | -7.20% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -4.27% less |
Surgical Technologists in Bristol, VA earn a median of $65,233 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.27% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 7.20% below the Virginia state average of $70,294.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $65,233 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $63,210 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,239
2025 BLS Actual
$61,891
2026 Current Est.
$65,233
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,239 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,589 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,459 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,572 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,023 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,574 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,891 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,233 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,756 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $46,239 (2019) to $61,891 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,756 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,517 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $49,344 – $56,436 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,436 – $65,233 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,233 – $78,743 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,743 – $92,353 |
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 Bristol
Currently, the job market has about six surgical technologists employed in the Bristol area, which indicates a small but specialized workforce. With a cost-of-living index of 103.2, the salaries of surgical technologists must be considered in the context of local purchasing power. While hospital operating rooms tend to offer competitive salaries, specialty surgical centers, particularly those that focus on cardiovascular and neurosurgery, often provide higher compensation packages. Factors contributing to the pay spectrum include additional stipends for certifications in advanced techniques like robotic surgery and roles that demand on-call coverage. For those pursuing career growth, gaining certifications such as the CST and specializing in high-demand fields can provide a significant boost in potential earnings in Bristol, positioning professionals well within a dynamic healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Bristol, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can surgical technologists make $100K in Bristol?
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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 $61,891 for surgical technologistsin the Bristol 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 Bristol 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