Surgical Technologist Salary in Huntington, WV: $53,828 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Huntington, WV earns a median $53,828/year (≈ $25.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Huntington's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.4), that paycheck buys what $60,876 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.7% below the West Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Surgical technologists in Huntington, West Virginia, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $53,828 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $68,141. The compensation range in this region varies from $40,115 at the lower end (10th percentile) to as much as $80,304 for the top earners (90th percentile). These salary projections are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, and they reflect the differences in pay often driven by the specific type of facility. Surgical technologists working in hospital operating rooms may find themselves earning more compared to their counterparts in ambulatory surgery centers or specialty surgical centers, where the type of procedures performed plays a crucial role in salary levels.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,115 | $19.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,894 | $23.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,828 | $25.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,323 | $29.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,304 | $38.61 |
Median Salary Position
21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Huntington
In Huntington, WV, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,189 (2026 est.). At $53,828, the local median is 21% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Huntington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Huntington Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Huntington median: $53,828/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Huntington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $58,957 | -8.70% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -21.00% less |
Surgical Technologists in Huntington, WV earn a median of $53,828 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.00% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 8.70% below the West Virginia state average of $58,957.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Huntington has a cost of living 11.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Huntington, WV has a cost-of-living index of 88.422 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $53,828 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,876 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.09% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,750
2025 BLS Actual
$51,070
2026 Current Est.
$53,828
2019–2027 Growth
+35.9%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Huntington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,205 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,340 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,330 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,828 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,734 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Huntington metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 22.3% from $41,750 (2019) to $51,070 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,734 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,984 (35.89%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Huntington 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) | $40,115 – $47,894 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,894 – $53,828 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,828 – $62,323 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,323 – $80,304 |
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 Huntington
Huntington's job market shows a steady employment of around 160 surgical technologists, providing a solid framework for the local healthcare ecosystem. The cost-of-living index in Huntington is 88.422, which is below the national average, indicating that take-home purchasing power can stretch further in this area. While hospitals tend to offer the highest salaries, those pursuing specialties such as cardiovascular or neurosurgery often receive additional pay premiums. Furthermore, credentials like robotic surgery certification can enhance a surgical technologist's appeal to employers and potentially lead to higher wages. Maximizing compensation may also involve seeking out opportunities in travel surgical tech agencies or negotiating for call coverage stipends, especially in trauma centers where demand is higher, thus broadening the potential for a lucrative career in surgical technology in Huntington, WV.
More salary data for Huntington, WV:
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 $51,070 for surgical technologistsin the Huntington 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, 6-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