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

A typical Surgical Tech in Pennsylvania earns about $30.14 per hour ($62,680 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That breaks down to roughly $5,223 a month or $1,205 a week, both figures calculated from the annual pay. Pay varies by employer, shift, and city, but this figure sits at the middle of the range for the state's Surgical Techs.

Pennsylvania pay runs 3% below the national figure of $64,650 a year, according to the same May 2025 data. That places the state 29th out of 51 states and territories ranked for Surgical Tech pay. Around 4,490 Surgical Techs work across Pennsylvania, a workforce large enough to give the state figure a solid base for comparison. The gap with the national number is small, just a few percentage points either way.

Entry-level positions in Pennsylvania typically offer around $22.66 an hour ($47,130 a year) for Surgical Techs just starting out. Some new hires land closer to $25.03 an hour ($52,060 a year) depending on the facility and location. Pay tends to move toward the state's typical figure of $30.14 an hour within the first few years on the job.

Experienced Surgical Techs in Pennsylvania often earn upwards of $34.63 an hour ($72,020 a year) after several years on the job. The top 10% of earners make over $37.38 an hour ($77,760 a year), well above the entry-level range. The spread between entry-level and top pay comes to $30,630 a year. Setting, years of experience, and city all play a part in where an individual tech lands within that range.

Pennsylvania's typical pay for Surgical Techs climbed from $41,670 in 2015 to $62,680 in 2025, a gain of $21,010. That's a rise of 50% over the decade, tracking a field that has grown steadily rather than in sudden jumps. The steepest single-year increases came in 2023 and 2024, when pay rose several thousand dollars in back-to-back years.

Nationally, Surgical Tech pay rose 46% over the same ten years, a bit slower than Pennsylvania's climb. Pay for this role has moved up steadily in the state, though past growth doesn't guarantee future increases. Someone starting out now enters a field where typical pay has outpaced the national rise, without any promise of what comes next.

Philadelphia pays Surgical Techs the most in Pennsylvania, with typical pay of $69,650 a year ($33.49 an hour), which covers the full metro area. That's 11% above the state figure. Lancaster follows at $62,680 a year, right at the state's typical pay, while Pittsburgh comes in close behind at $62,370 a year.

Altoona pays the least among Pennsylvania's tracked cities, with typical pay of $52,060 a year for Surgical Techs. That leaves a $17,590 spread between the highest- and lowest-paying cities in the state. Philadelphia also holds the largest Surgical Tech workforce, with 2,020 employed in the metro area. Higher pay in cities like Philadelphia usually lines up with a higher cost of living, so the gap doesn't always translate to more spending power.

Pennsylvania's neighbors show a wide range. New York pays the most nearby, with typical Surgical Tech pay of $79,550 a year, 27% above Pennsylvania's figure. New Jersey and Maryland also pay more, at $77,200 and $68,970. West Virginia pays the least among neighboring states, at $49,110 a year, 22% below Pennsylvania. Licensure or certification earned in Pennsylvania can often be transferred or endorsed in a nearby state, which makes crossing state lines for higher pay a realistic option.

Surgical Techs in Pennsylvania typically earn $62,680 a year, a figure that has climbed 50% over the past decade. Pay varies by city and experience level, from entry-level positions near $47,130 to top earners over $77,760. Readers weighing a move into the field can check Pennsylvania's licensing and registry requirements, and compare local pay using the city breakdowns above before deciding where to work.