How Much Does a Surgical Tech Make in Iowa City, IA in 2026?
Typical pay for Surgical Techs in Iowa City, from federal wage data (May 2025), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across Iowa.
BLS OES May 2025 · Iowa City metro area
A typical Surgical Tech in Iowa City, Iowa earns $28.33 per hour, or $58,930 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $4,911 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $50,470, and the top 10% of earners make over $63,990.
That pay is 3% below the Iowa figure of $60,540 and 9% below the national figure of $64,650. Iowa City ranks 6th of 6 metro areas in Iowa for Surgical Tech pay. About 120 Surgical Techs work in the Iowa City area.
Surgical Tech pay in Iowa City at a glance
- Typical pay is $28.33 an hour, or $58,930 a year.
- That is 3% below the Iowa figure, ranking 6th of 6 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $50,470; the top 10% make over $63,990.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does a Surgical Tech make in Iowa City?
Pay in Iowa City runs from entry-level positions at around $24.27 an hour to more than $30.76 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Iowa and national figures.
Surgical Tech pay by career stage in Iowa City
| Career stage | Iowa City | Iowa | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $50,470$24.27 an hour | $47,280$22.73 an hour | $45,940$22.09 an hour |
| First years | $50,470$24.27 an hour | $50,680$24.37 an hour | $54,690$26.29 an hour |
| Typical Surgical Tech | $58,930$28.33 an hour | $60,540$29.11 an hour | $64,650$31.08 an hour |
| Experienced | $63,990$30.76 an hour | $62,880$30.23 an hour | $79,750$38.34 an hour |
| Top 10% | $63,990$30.76 an hour | $75,100$36.11 an hour | $96,940$46.61 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the Iowa City area as BLS defines it
Surgical Tech pay growth in Iowa City
Typical (median) annual wage for Surgical Techs in the Iowa City area · BLS OES May estimates, 2020 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2020, typical Surgical Tech pay in Iowa City was $49,540 a year. By 2025 it had reached $58,930, compared with +56% for Iowa over the same years.
How Iowa City compares with other Iowa cities
Des Moines pays Surgical Techs the most in Iowa at $62,250 a year, $3,320 more than Iowa City. The lowest-paying area in the state is Iowa City at $58,930.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Iowa City | Surgical Techs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines metro incl. West Des Moines | $62,250 | $29.93 | +6% | 230 |
| 2 | Davenport | $60,520 | $29.10 | +3% | 110 |
| 3 | Dubuque | $60,500 | $29.09 | +3% | 40 |
| 4 | Cedar Falls metro incl. Waterloo | $59,910 | $28.80 | +2% | 40 |
| 5 | Sioux City | $59,670 | $28.69 | +1% | 90 |
| 6 | Iowa City | $58,930 | $28.33 | this city | 120 |
Every metro area in Iowa with Surgical Tech wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Iowa typical pay $60,540
Is Iowa City a good place to work as a Surgical Tech?
Surgical Techs in Iowa City earn less than the national figure: typical pay is $58,930 a year, 9% below the national rate. For every 1,000 jobs in the Iowa City area, about 1.3 are Surgical Tech positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 0.8. That makes the local economy more reliant on Surgical Techs than most places, and turnover keeps positions opening through the year.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Surgical Tech make in Iowa City, IA?
- A typical Surgical Tech in Iowa City earns $58,930 a year, or $28.33 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $50,470 and the top 10% earn over $63,990.
- How much does a Surgical Tech make an hour in Iowa City?
- Typical hourly pay for Surgical Techs in Iowa City is $28.33. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $24.27, and the top 10% earn over $30.76 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a Surgical Tech in Iowa City?
- Entry-level Surgical Tech positions in Iowa City typically offer around $24.27 an hour, or $50,470 a year.
- Is Surgical Tech pay in Iowa City higher than in the rest of Iowa?
- Iowa City pay is 3% below the Iowa figure of $60,540 a year, ranking 6th of 6 metro areas in the state. Des Moines pays the most in Iowa at $62,250.