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

A typical Surgical Tech in Missouri earns about $29.39 per hour ($61,120 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $5,093 a month and $1,175 a week, calculated from the annual figure. These figures represent typical pay across the state, before accounting for city-level differences covered later.

This is about 5% lower than the national typical pay of $64,650 a year, and Missouri ranks 36th out of 51 states and D.C. for Surgical Tech pay. Lower pay in Missouri often tracks a lower cost of living compared with higher-paying states. About 2,100 Surgical Techs work across the state, a workforce large enough to produce reliable city-by-city figures.

Entry-level positions in Missouri typically offer around $21.60 an hour ($44,930 a year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Pay typically climbs from there as Surgical Techs gain hands-on experience in the operating room. Most reach the typical rate of $29.39 an hour within a few years of steady work. New hires in smaller facilities or rural areas may start closer to this lower figure.

Experienced Surgical Techs in Missouri often earn upwards of $32.89 an hour ($68,410 a year), and the top 10% of earners make over $37.70 an hour ($78,410 a year). The gap between entry-level and top pay runs to $33,480 a year. Setting, years of experience, and city all factor into where an individual Surgical Tech lands within that range. Techs in larger hospital systems in bigger metro areas tend to reach the higher end sooner.

Missouri Surgical Tech pay rose from $39,690 in 2015 to $61,120 in 2025, a gain of $21,430. That's a 54% increase over the decade, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). The rise has been steady each year, with the sharpest jumps coming between 2021 and 2023. By 2025, typical pay had settled at its current level.

Nationally, Surgical Tech pay rose 46% over the same decade, so Missouri's gain outpaced the national trend. Pay for Surgical Techs in Missouri has moved up substantially over ten years, though nothing about that pattern guarantees future increases. Someone starting in the field today enters at a point where wages have already climbed well above where they stood a decade ago.

Pay runs highest in Kansas City, where Surgical Techs typically earn $62,250 a year, about 2% above the statewide figure. St. Louis follows closely at $61,790 a year, and Springfield sits right at the state typical of $61,120. These figures reflect each city's full metro area rather than just the city center. Pay differences among Missouri's larger metro areas stay relatively narrow.

Cape Girardeau posts the lowest figure among Missouri's tracked cities at $49,880 a year, putting the spread between the highest- and lowest-paying cities at $12,370. Kansas City also has the largest Surgical Tech workforce in the state, with about 980 employed there. Smaller cities like Cape Girardeau and Joplin generally carry a lower cost of living, which helps offset their lower pay figures.

Among Missouri's neighbors, Illinois pays the most, with Surgical Techs typically earning $64,650 a year, about 6% higher than Missouri. Nebraska follows at $63,880, roughly 5% higher, while Arkansas pays the least at $57,400, about 6% lower than Missouri. Oklahoma sits nearly even with Missouri at $61,190. Surgical Tech licensure or certification earned in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, which can widen job options near the border.

Surgical Techs in Missouri typically earn $61,120 a year ($29.39 an hour), up 54% over the past decade from $39,690 in 2015. Pay varies somewhat by city and experience level, with Kansas City and St. Louis running highest and entry-level roles starting lower. Readers considering the field should check Missouri's licensing or registry requirements for surgical technologists, and review city-specific pages for local pay figures before deciding where to work.