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

A typical Surgical Tech in Kentucky earns about $29.08 per hour, or $60,490 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Broken down further, that comes to roughly $5,041 a month and $1,163 a week, based on the annual figure. These numbers describe the typical worker in the state, not the full range surgical techs can expect to see across different experience levels and cities.

Kentucky's typical pay sits 6% below the national figure of $64,650 a year, according to the same wage data. That gap places Kentucky 43rd among the 51 states and territories tracked for this occupation. Around 1,440 Surgical Techs work across the state, giving a sense of scale for the profession here. Lower pay in Kentucky often tracks lower living costs compared with higher-cost states elsewhere in the country.

Entry-level positions in Kentucky typically offer around $19.92 an hour, or about $41,440 a year, for those just starting out. Some newcomers with additional certification or hospital experience begin closer to $24.18 an hour, or $50,300 a year. Pay generally moves toward the state's typical figure of $60,490 within the first few years on the job. Where a new tech lands often depends on the hiring facility and prior clinical training.

Experienced Surgical Techs in Kentucky often earn upwards of $32.04 an hour, or about $66,630 a year. The top 10% of earners make over $79,980 a year, well above the typical figure for the state. That leaves a spread of $38,540 between the lowest-paid newcomers and the highest-paid veterans. Setting, years of experience, and city all play a part in where an individual tech falls within that range.

Kentucky's typical pay for Surgical Techs has climbed steadily over the past decade. In 2015, the figure stood at $38,020 a year; by 2025 it had reached $60,490, a gain of $22,470. That amounts to a 59% rise over ten years, one of the larger increases tracked for this occupation in the state.

Nationally, Surgical Tech pay rose 46% over the same ten years, making Kentucky's climb faster than the country as a whole. Pay for this role has moved up steadily in Kentucky, though these figures describe what has happened rather than what is guaranteed going forward. Someone starting out today enters a field where typical pay has grown well ahead of national trends over the past decade.

Pay runs highest in Louisville, where Surgical Techs typically earn $63,590 a year, about 5% above the state figure. Lexington follows closely, with typical pay around $61,870 a year. Bowling Green rounds out the higher-paying areas, at $58,770 a year. Each of these figures reflects the full metro area around the named city, not just the city limits.

Ashland pays the least among Kentucky's tracked metro areas, with typical pay around $51,070 a year. That leaves a spread of $12,520 between the highest- and lowest-paying areas in the state. Louisville also has the largest Surgical Tech workforce in Kentucky, with 540 workers, the same metro area that tops the pay list. Higher pay in bigger metro areas usually comes with a higher cost of living, which can offset some of the difference.

Kentucky's neighboring states show a mixed picture. Virginia pays the most nearby, at $67,580 a year, 12% above Kentucky's figure, with Illinois ($64,650) and Indiana ($64,240) also running higher. West Virginia sits well below Kentucky, at $49,110 a year, a 19% gap. Surgical Tech licensure or certification earned in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, though requirements vary.

Surgical Techs in Kentucky typically earn $60,490 a year, a figure that has risen 59% over the past decade. That growth has outpaced the national rise of 46% over the same period. For specific requirements, readers can check Kentucky's state licensing or registry page, and for local figures, the city pages covering Louisville, Lexington, and other Kentucky metro areas offer a closer look at pay by location.