How Much Does a Surgical Tech Make in Altoona, PA in 2026?
Typical pay for Surgical Techs in Altoona, from federal wage data (May 2025), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across Pennsylvania.
BLS OES May 2025 · Altoona metro area
A typical Surgical Tech in Altoona, Pennsylvania earns $25.03 per hour, or $52,060 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $4,338 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $46,650, and the top 10% of earners make over $62,040.
That pay is 17% below the Pennsylvania figure of $62,680 and 19% below the national figure of $64,650. Altoona ranks 8th of 8 metro areas in Pennsylvania for Surgical Tech pay. About 40 Surgical Techs work in the Altoona area.
Surgical Tech pay in Altoona at a glance
- Typical pay is $25.03 an hour, or $52,060 a year.
- That is 17% below the Pennsylvania figure, ranking 8th of 8 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $46,650; the top 10% make over $62,040.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does a Surgical Tech make in Altoona?
Pay in Altoona runs from entry-level positions at around $22.43 an hour to more than $29.83 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Pennsylvania and national figures.
Surgical Tech pay by career stage in Altoona
| Career stage | Altoona | Pennsylvania | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $46,650$22.43 an hour | $47,130$22.66 an hour | $45,940$22.09 an hour |
| First years | $46,650$22.43 an hour | $52,060$25.03 an hour | $54,690$26.29 an hour |
| Typical Surgical Tech | $52,060$25.03 an hour | $62,680$30.14 an hour | $64,650$31.08 an hour |
| Experienced | $62,040$29.83 an hour | $72,020$34.63 an hour | $79,750$38.34 an hour |
| Top 10% | $62,040$29.83 an hour | $77,760$37.38 an hour | $96,940$46.61 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the Altoona area as BLS defines it
Surgical Tech pay growth in Altoona
Typical (median) annual wage for Surgical Techs in the Altoona area · BLS OES May estimates, 2018 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2018, typical Surgical Tech pay in Altoona was $43,070 a year. By 2025 it had reached $52,060, compared with +50% for Pennsylvania over the same years.
How Altoona compares with other Pennsylvania cities
Philadelphia pays Surgical Techs the most in Pennsylvania at $69,650 a year, $17,590 more than Altoona. The lowest-paying area in the state is Altoona at $52,060.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Altoona | Surgical Techs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $69,650 | $33.49 | +34% | 2,020 |
| 2 | Lancaster | $62,680 | $30.14 | +20% | 240 |
| 3 | Hanover metro incl. York | $62,670 | $30.13 | +20% | 150 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh | $62,370 | $29.99 | +20% | 890 |
| 5 | Allentown | $62,250 | $29.93 | +20% | 370 |
| 6 | Carlisle metro incl. Harrisburg | $61,730 | $29.68 | +19% | 330 |
| 7 | Erie | $60,440 | $29.06 | +16% | 100 |
| 8 | Altoona | $52,060 | $25.03 | this city | 40 |
Every metro area in Pennsylvania with Surgical Tech wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Pennsylvania typical pay $62,680
Is Altoona a good place to work as a Surgical Tech?
Surgical Techs in Altoona earn less than the national figure: typical pay is $52,060 a year, 19% below the national rate. For every 1,000 jobs in the Altoona area, about 0.7 are Surgical Tech positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 0.8. Surgical Tech jobs make up about the same share of the job market as they do across the country.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Surgical Tech make in Altoona, PA?
- A typical Surgical Tech in Altoona earns $52,060 a year, or $25.03 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $46,650 and the top 10% earn over $62,040.
- How much does a Surgical Tech make an hour in Altoona?
- Typical hourly pay for Surgical Techs in Altoona is $25.03. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $22.43, and the top 10% earn over $29.83 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a Surgical Tech in Altoona?
- Entry-level Surgical Tech positions in Altoona typically offer around $22.43 an hour, or $46,650 a year.
- Is Surgical Tech pay in Altoona higher than in the rest of Pennsylvania?
- Altoona pay is 17% below the Pennsylvania figure of $62,680 a year, ranking 8th of 8 metro areas in the state. Philadelphia pays the most in Pennsylvania at $69,650.