How Much Does a Surgical Tech Make in District of Columbia in 2026?

A typical Surgical Tech in the District of Columbia earns about $37.27 per hour, or $77,520 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $6,460 a month or $1,491 a week, based on the annual figure.

That is about 20% above the national figure of $64,650 a year ($31.08 an hour), placing the District of Columbia 9th among all 51 states and territories. About 340 Surgical Techs work in the District, a modest workforce that puts these figures in context for anyone comparing states.

Entry-level positions in the District of Columbia typically offer around $18.17 an hour, or about $37,800 a year, for Surgical Techs just starting out. Pay tends to move toward the District's typical $77,520 figure within a few years of on-the-job experience.

Experienced Surgical Techs often earn upwards of $40.28 to $48.64 an hour, and the top 10% of earners make over $101,180 a year. The gap between entry-level and top-tier pay in the District comes to $63,380, a spread that tends to reflect differences in setting, years of experience, and which part of the city someone works in.

Surgical Tech pay in the District of Columbia has climbed steadily over the past decade, rising from $56,670 in 2015 to $77,520 in 2025. That amounts to a gain of $20,850, or 37%, over the ten-year period.

Nationally, Surgical Tech pay rose 46% over the same decade, a faster pace than the District's climb even though District pay remains higher in dollar terms. For someone starting out now, this decade of gains points to pay that has moved up over time, though future increases are not guaranteed.

Washington is the only metro area with separately reported wage data for Surgical Techs in the District, with pay of $78,750 a year ($37.86 an hour) covering the full Washington metro area. That is about 2% above the statewide figure of $77,520, reflecting how closely local pay tracks the District's overall figure.

Because the District reports data for just one metro area, pay is fairly uniform across the District rather than varying widely by neighborhood. Washington also holds the largest concentration of Surgical Tech jobs in the District, with about 1,430 positions, and its cost of living factors into the relatively high pay found there.

The District of Columbia pays Surgical Techs more than its immediate neighbors. Maryland's figure of $68,970 a year runs about 11% below the District, while Virginia's $67,580 a year sits about 13% lower. Surgical Techs considering a move across the Potomac River should note that certification and licensure can often be transferred or endorsed between neighboring states, though requirements vary.

Surgical Techs in the District of Columbia typically earn $77,520 a year ($37.27 an hour), a figure that has climbed 37% over the past decade. Those exploring this career path should check the District's licensing or registry requirements for Surgical Techs and review city-level pages for Washington and nearby Maryland and Virginia to compare local pay before deciding where to work.