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

A typical Surgical Tech in Texas earns about $31.35 per hour ($65,220 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $5,435 a month and $1,254 a week, calculated from the annual figure. These figures describe typical pay across the state before overtime, differentials, or benefits are added. Actual paychecks vary by employer, shift, and city.

Texas pay sits about 1% above the national figure of $64,650 a year for this occupation, according to the same May 2025 data. That places the state 21st out of 51 states and D.C. for Surgical Tech pay. Roughly 10,160 Surgical Techs work in Texas, giving the state figure a solid statistical base. The gap with the national figure is small enough that Texas pay tracks closely with the country as a whole.

Entry-level positions in Texas typically offer around $19.21 an hour, or about $39,950 a year, for Surgical Techs just starting out. Some new hires with a bit of experience see closer to $24.09 an hour, or $50,100 a year. Pay generally moves toward the state's typical figure of $65,220 a year within the first few years on the job. Certification, hospital setting, and city all influence how quickly that happens.

Experienced Surgical Techs in Texas often earn upwards of $38.84 an hour, or about $80,790 a year. The top 10% of earners make over $44.51 an hour, or $92,580 a year. That leaves a spread of $52,630 between entry-level and top pay in the state. Years of experience, specialty certifications, and working in a higher-paying city like Dallas tend to separate the two groups.

Texas Surgical Tech pay has risen steadily over the past decade, climbing from $44,410 in 2015 to $65,220 in 2025. That's a gain of $20,810, or 47%, over ten years. The increase wasn't perfectly even; pay jumped noticeably between 2022 and 2024 before settling into a more gradual climb. Even so, the overall decade trend points consistently upward.

Nationally, Surgical Tech pay rose 46% over the same ten-year span, just a point behind Texas's climb. The two trends have moved almost in lockstep, with Texas pay keeping pace with the rest of the country rather than falling behind. For someone starting a Surgical Tech career in Texas now, recent history shows pay has moved up year over year, though future gains aren't guaranteed.

Pay runs highest in the Dallas metro area, where Surgical Techs typically earn $79,990 a year ($38.46 an hour), about 23% above the statewide figure. Arlington and Fort Worth, part of the same metro area, share that same figure. The Austin metro area follows at $73,810 a year, with the Houston metro area close behind at $71,050 a year. These figures reflect each city's full metro area rather than just the city limits.

San Antonio sits at the lower end, with Surgical Techs typically earning $46,820 a year ($22.51 an hour), the lowest figure among the state's metro areas. That's a spread of $33,170 between the highest- and lowest-paying metro areas in Texas. Dallas also has the largest Surgical Tech workforce in the state, with about 2,790 employed there. The lower pay in San Antonio generally lines up with a lower cost of living compared with Dallas.

Texas pays more than each of its bordering states for Surgical Techs. Oklahoma comes closest at $61,190 a year, about 6% below Texas, while New Mexico trails furthest at $51,780 a year, 21% below. Arkansas and Louisiana both sit around $57,400 and $57,370 a year, roughly 12% below Texas. Surgical Tech licensure or certification requirements can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, which can simplify a move across state lines.

Surgical Techs in Texas typically earn $65,220 a year ($31.35 an hour), a figure that has climbed 47% over the past decade. Pay varies by city, with Dallas leading and San Antonio trailing, so location matters when weighing offers. Anyone pursuing this career in Texas should check the state licensing or registry requirements for surgical technologists, and compare city-level figures on the relevant city pages before deciding where to work.