Surgical Technologist Salary in Iowa (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Surgical Technologists in Iowa, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Iowa Median
$60,540
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.11
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-6% vs US median
US median $64,650
State Rank
#41 of 51
950 employed here

How much does a Surgical Technologist make in Iowa?

Surgical Technologists in Iowa take home a median of $60,540 annually — roughly $29.11 an hour — which runs 6% below the national median of $64,650.

Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $47,280 while the top 10% make $75,100 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $50,680 and $62,880 a year.

Surgical Technologist salary range in Iowa

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$47,280$22.73
25th percentile (early career)$50,680$24.37
50th percentile (median)$60,540$29.11
75th percentile (experienced)$62,880$30.23
90th percentile (top earners)$75,100$36.11

How Iowa compares

Iowa ranks 41st out of 51 states and territories for Surgical Technologist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Hawaii$82,640
2Oregon$81,390
3California$81,310
4Massachusetts$80,870
5Alaska$80,380

Working as a Surgical Technologist in Iowa

Nationally, about 117,000 people work as Surgical Technologists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($60,540) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Surgical Technologist make in Iowa?
The median Surgical Technologist salary in Iowa is $60,540 per year, or about $29.11 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,280 at the entry level to $75,100 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Surgical Technologists about 6% less than the national median of $64,650. Iowa ranks 41st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Surgical Technologists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $60,540 a year. About 950 Surgical Technologists are employed in Iowa. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Surgical Technologist salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.