How Much Does a Surgical Tech Make in Arizona in 2026?

A typical Surgical Tech in Arizona earns about $34.74 per hour ($72,260 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that comes to roughly $6,022 a month and $1,390 a week. Those numbers reflect the typical pay point for the role across the state, not the full range surgical techs can see.

That pay sits 12% above the national figure of $64,650 a year for Surgical Techs, and Arizona ranks 18th among the 51 states and territories tracked. Nationally, the typical hourly figure is $31.08, compared with $34.74 in Arizona. About 2,410 Surgical Techs work across the state, versus 117,460 nationwide, giving a sense of scale before looking at city-level and experience-level figures.

Entry-level Surgical Tech positions in Arizona typically offer around $24.05 an hour ($50,030 a year), based on the lowest-paid tier of workers in the May 2025 data. Pay tends to move toward the state's typical figure of $34.74 an hour within the first few years on the job. Facilities that pay less often reflect fewer years of experience rather than a different type of work.

Experienced Surgical Techs in Arizona often earn upwards of $40.17 an hour ($83,550 a year), and the top 10% make over $46.56 an hour ($96,840 a year). That leaves a spread of $46,810 between entry-level and top pay. Setting, years on the job, and city all factor into where an individual lands within that range.

Arizona's typical pay for Surgical Techs has climbed from $48,770 in 2015 to $72,260 in 2025, a gain of $23,490. That amounts to a 48% rise over the decade, tracked using the same government wage survey each year. The increase has been steady rather than a single jump, building year over year through the decade.

Nationally, typical pay for Surgical Techs rose 46% over the same decade, close to Arizona's pace. The comparison shows Arizona's pay growth has kept up with the rest of the country rather than falling behind. For someone starting now, that history shows pay has moved up over time, though no future increase is guaranteed.

Phoenix pays Surgical Techs the most in Arizona, with typical pay of $78,050 a year ($37.53 an hour), about 8% above the state figure. Mesa and Chandler, part of the same Phoenix metro area, report identical figures. Tucson trails those cities at $64,510 a year ($31.01 an hour), still above several smaller Arizona cities.

Kingman pays the least among Arizona's tracked cities, with typical pay of $60,620 a year, matched by Lake Havasu City. That puts the spread between the highest- and lowest-paying cities at $17,430. Phoenix holds the largest Surgical Tech workforce in the state, with 1,790 workers, and each city figure covers the full metro area. Higher pay in the Phoenix metro area tends to track a higher cost of living there.

Arizona's typical pay compares closely with some neighboring states and diverges sharply from others. California pays the most in the region, at $81,310 a year, about 13% above Arizona, followed by Colorado ($75,740, 5% above) and Nevada ($75,480, 4% above). Utah pays less, at $62,720 (13% below), and New Mexico pays the least, at $51,780 a year, about 28% below Arizona. Licensure for Surgical Techs can often be transferred or endorsed between neighboring states, which is worth checking before a move.

Arizona's typical pay for Surgical Techs stands at $72,260 a year ($34.74 an hour), up 48% over the past decade. That places the state above the national figure and mid-to-upper among the 51 states tracked. For exact licensing and registry requirements, check Arizona's state board page, and for pay specific to a metro area, see the city-level figures for Phoenix, Tucson, and other Arizona cities.