How Much Does a Surgical Tech Make in Rhode Island in 2026?

A typical Surgical Tech in Rhode Island earns about $35.64 per hour, or $74,130 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that works out to roughly $6,178 a month and about $1,426 a week. These figures reflect typical pay across the state, covering the full range of experience levels working today.

Rhode Island's pay runs 15% above the national figure of $64,650 a year for Surgical Techs, according to the same data. That ranks the state 15th among 51 states nationwide. About 240 Surgical Techs work in Rhode Island, a workforce size that gives the pay figures above some context.

Entry-level positions in Rhode Island typically offer around $23.99 an hour, or about $49,910 a year, according to the same data. Pay generally moves toward the statewide typical figure of $74,130 within the first few years of experience. New Surgical Techs often start near this range before moving into higher-paying roles as they gain time on the job.

Experienced Surgical Techs in Rhode Island often earn upwards of $81,520 a year ($39.19 an hour). The top 10% of earners make over $101,850 a year ($48.97 an hour). That leaves a spread of $51,940 between entry-level and top-tier pay, a gap that tends to reflect differences in work setting, years of experience, and city.

Rhode Island's Surgical Tech pay rose from $50,420 in 2015 to $74,130 in 2025, a gain of $23,710 over the decade. That marks a 47% increase, according to the same wage data. The rise was not perfectly steady year to year, but each stretch of the decade closed higher than it opened.

Nationally, Surgical Tech pay rose 46% over the same decade, putting Rhode Island's gain just ahead of the national pace. For someone starting a Surgical Tech career in Rhode Island now, this history shows pay has moved upward over time, though it offers no guarantee about future years.

Pay is fairly uniform across Rhode Island's tracked metro areas. Providence and Warwick, each figure covering its full metro area, both report pay of $77,270 a year ($37.15 an hour), about 4% above the statewide figure of $74,130. That leaves little practical difference in pay based on location within the state.

Warwick, technically the lowest-paying city on record, matches Providence's figure exactly, for a city spread of $0. Providence carries the larger reported workforce between the two, with 380 Surgical Techs. Because pay does not vary by city here, cost-of-living differences across Rhode Island play less of a role for this occupation than they might elsewhere.

Rhode Island's Surgical Tech pay compares closely with its neighbors. Massachusetts reports the higher figure at $80,870 a year, about 9% above Rhode Island's $74,130. Connecticut follows close behind at $79,890 a year, roughly 8% higher. Both neighboring states pay somewhat more than Rhode Island, though the gap is modest. Surgical Tech licensure or certification earned in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a nearby state, easing a move across state lines.

Surgical Techs in Rhode Island typically earn $74,130 a year ($35.64 an hour), a figure that has climbed 47% over the past decade. Pay runs above the national figure and varies little by city within the state. Readers considering this career should check Rhode Island's licensing or registry requirements for current rules, and review city-specific pages for local pay figures before making a decision.