Surgical Technologists Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $65,580 +4.4% vs national
Median hourly $31.53
10th percentile $52,780
90th percentile $112,080
Employed locally 2,680
National median $62,830

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Surgical Technologists
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Chicago, IL-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $52,780
    25th
    $61,200
    50th (median)
    $65,580
    75th
    $78,100
    90th
    $112,080

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Surgical Technologists salary vs area income 74% Median Surgical Technologists salary is 26% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Surgical Technologists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Bend, OR $103,320
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $103,190
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $101,820
    Vallejo, CA $101,470
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $100,130
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $98,820

    Nearby metros — Surgical Technologists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $100,130
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $95,210
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $80,010
    Greenville, NC $74,050
    Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $72,840
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $70,130

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $96,480
    Pharmacy Technicians $45,570
    Physicians, All Other $215,680
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $72,920
    Pharmacists $137,610
    Physical Therapists $104,200

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Surgical Technologists make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Surgical Technologists in Chicago, IL-IN is $31.53, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $45.21 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Surgical Technologists salaries?

    The median Surgical Technologists salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 4.4% above the national median of $62,830. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Surgical Technologists in Chicago?

    Entry-level Surgical Technologists (10th percentile) earn around $52,780 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $61,200.