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

A typical Surgical Tech in Ohio earns about $30.01 per hour ($62,420 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $5,202 a month. On a weekly basis, calculated from the annual figure, pay comes to about $1,200. These figures reflect the full range of settings where Surgical Techs work across the state.

That pay sits 3% below the national figures of $31.08 an hour and $64,650 a year, placing Ohio 31st out of 51 states and territories ranked. Roughly 3,730 people work as Surgical Techs across Ohio, giving the state a solid base for comparison. The gap with the national figure is modest, and it generally tracks a lower cost of living in much of the state.

Entry-level positions in Ohio typically offer around $23.13 an hour ($48,110 a year). Surgical Techs who are new to the field tend to start near this range, particularly in their first couple of years on the job. Pay typically moves toward the state's typical figure of $62,420 within a few years of hands-on experience. Additional certifications and time in the operating room both play a role in that climb.

Experienced Surgical Techs in Ohio often earn upwards of $35.48 an hour, and the top 10% of earners make over $80,640 a year. That leaves a spread of $32,530 between entry-level and top pay across the state. Setting matters: hospitals, surgical centers, and larger cities tend to pay more than smaller clinics or rural areas. Experience and the specific city where a Surgical Tech works also shape where someone lands in that range.

Ohio's Surgical Tech pay has climbed steadily over the past decade. The typical figure rose from $40,520 in 2015 to $62,420 in 2025, a gain of $21,900. That amounts to a 54% rise over ten years, with steady increases in most years along the way, including a notable jump between 2022 and 2023.

Nationally, Surgical Tech pay rose 46% over the same ten years, so Ohio's increase outpaced the national trend. For someone starting out now, that history shows pay in this field has moved up meaningfully in Ohio, though past increases don't guarantee future ones.

Pay runs highest in Beavercreek, where Surgical Techs earn $64,640 a year, about 4% above the Ohio figure. Kettering and Dayton match that same figure. Columbus follows closely at $64,120 a year, and Cincinnati pays well too, at $63,450 a year. These figures cover each city's full metro area.

On the lower end, Warren pays the least among Ohio's tracked cities, at $57,980 a year, a spread of $6,660 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities. Columbus employs the most Surgical Techs of any Ohio city, with about 750 working there. Cities with higher pay also tend to carry a higher cost of living, so the gap in take-home value is often smaller than the raw numbers suggest.

Ohio's pay compares closely with its neighbors. Indiana pays slightly more, at $64,240 a year (3% higher), while Michigan runs close behind at $63,320. Kentucky pays less, at $60,490 a year (3% lower), and West Virginia trails well behind the rest at $49,110, 21% below Ohio's figure. Licensure requirements for Surgical Techs can often be transferred or endorsed between neighboring states, which can simplify a move across state lines.

Surgical Techs in Ohio typically earn $62,420 a year ($30.01 an hour), a figure that has risen 54% over the past decade. Pay runs a bit below the national figure but keeps pace with several neighboring states. Readers weighing this career in Ohio can check the state licensing or registry page for requirements, and the city pages for local pay figures in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and other Ohio metros.