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

A typical Surgical Tech in Maryland earns about $33.16 per hour ($68,970 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $5,748 a month and $1,326 a week, calculated from the annual figure. These figures reflect pay across hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, and clinics statewide. Pay generally rises with experience and varies by employer type.

Maryland's typical pay runs 7% above the national figure of $64,650 a year. That places Maryland 19th out of 51 states and the District of Columbia for Surgical Tech pay. About 1,880 Surgical Techs work across the state, a workforce large enough to support hospitals and surgery centers in every region. Higher pay here often tracks Maryland's higher cost of living compared with much of the country.

Entry-level positions for Surgical Techs in Maryland typically offer around $21.92 an hour, or about $45,590 a year. This range reflects pay for those just starting out, often still building hands-on experience in the operating room. Within a few years, pay commonly moves toward the state's typical figure of $68,970 a year. Certification, additional training, and time in a single specialty tend to speed that climb.

Experienced Surgical Techs in Maryland often earn upwards of $39.13 an hour, or about $81,390 a year. The top 10% of earners make over $41.26 an hour, or $85,820 a year. That leaves a $40,230 spread between entry-level and top pay in the state. Setting, years of experience, and city all play a part in where an individual Surgical Tech lands within that range.

Surgical Tech pay in Maryland has climbed from $51,110 in 2015 to $68,970 in 2025, a gain of $17,860. That amounts to a 35% rise over the decade. The increase wasn't a straight line: pay dipped in 2021 before climbing steadily each year since. Most of that decade's gain came after 2021, with pay rising every year through 2025.

Nationally, Surgical Tech pay rose 46% over the same decade, faster than Maryland's climb. That gap suggests Maryland's pay growth has been steadier but somewhat slower than the country as a whole. For someone starting out now, this history shows pay has moved up consistently in recent years. It doesn't guarantee future increases, but the trend has been positive.

Pay runs highest in the Alexandria area, where Surgical Techs typically earn $78,750 a year ($37.86 an hour), about 14% above the state figure. These figures reflect the full metro area rather than the city alone. Towson, Baltimore, and Columbia each post pay in line with the state typical figure of $68,970 a year, reflecting broad demand across the central Maryland corridor.

Pay runs lowest around Martinsburg, where Surgical Techs typically earn $55,980 a year ($26.91 an hour). That's a $22,770 spread between the highest- and lowest-paying areas in the state. Alexandria also has the largest Surgical Tech workforce among these areas, with 1,430 workers. Lower pay in places like Martinsburg and Hagerstown generally lines up with a lower cost of living than in the Baltimore-Washington corridor.

Maryland pays less than the District of Columbia, where Surgical Techs typically earn $77,520 a year, about 12% higher than Maryland's figure. Virginia ($67,580), Pennsylvania ($62,680), and Delaware ($62,250) all pay somewhat less than Maryland. West Virginia pays the least among neighbors, at $49,110 a year, 29% lower than Maryland's. Surgical Tech licensure or certification earned in one of these states can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring one.

Surgical Techs in Maryland typically earn $68,970 a year ($33.16 an hour), reflecting a 35% rise over the past decade. Pay is highest in the Alexandria area and lowest around Martinsburg, with entry-level and experienced pay spanning a wide range. Readers considering this path can check Maryland's surgical technologist licensing or registry requirements for specifics, and review city-level pages for local pay figures before deciding where to work.