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

A typical Surgical Tech in Virginia earns about $32.49 per hour ($67,580 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Broken down further, that comes to roughly $5,632 a month and about $1,300 a week, calculated from the annual figure. These numbers reflect what a Surgical Tech in the middle of the pay range earns statewide.

Virginia pay runs about 5% above the national figure of $64,650 a year ($31.08 an hour), placing the state 20th among the 51 states and the District of Columbia. Virginia is home to 1,910 Surgical Techs, compared with 117,460 nationwide. That gap in pay is modest, but it puts Virginia solidly in the upper half of states for this role.

Entry-level Surgical Techs in Virginia typically start around $23.07 an hour ($47,980 a year). Some entry-level positions cluster a bit higher, near $28.42 an hour ($59,110 a year), depending on the facility. Pay generally moves toward the statewide typical figure of $32.49 an hour within the first few years on the job.

Experienced Surgical Techs in Virginia often earn upwards of $40.44 an hour ($84,100 a year), and the top 10% make over $49.05 an hour ($102,020 a year). That leaves a spread of $54,040 between entry-level and top-tier pay. The difference usually comes down to years of experience, the type of facility, and which city a Surgical Tech works in, with places like Arlington paying well above smaller markets like Bristol.

Virginia Surgical Tech pay has climbed from $46,060 in 2015 to $67,580 in 2025, a gain of $21,520. That's a 47% rise over the decade. Pay didn't move in a straight line; it held mostly flat between 2015 and 2021 before rising sharply from 2022 onward.

Nationally, Surgical Tech pay rose 46% over the same decade, almost matching Virginia's increase. For someone starting the field now, that decade of data shows steady upward movement in pay, though future increases aren't guaranteed. Virginia's rise has tracked closely with the rest of the country rather than pulling ahead or falling behind.

Pay runs highest in the Arlington metro area, where Surgical Techs typically earn $78,750 a year ($37.86 an hour), about 17% above the statewide figure. Virginia Beach follows at $65,370 a year, and Roanoke comes in at $61,600. These figures cover each city's full metro area, not just the city center.

Bristol pays the least among Virginia's tracked cities, at $60,500 a year ($29.09 an hour), a spread of $18,250 between the highest- and lowest-paying metro areas. Arlington also has the largest Surgical Tech workforce in the state, with 1,430 employed there. Higher pay in Arlington generally lines up with a higher cost of living in the Washington, D.C. area, while lower pay in Bristol tends to track lower living costs.

Virginia's Surgical Tech pay compares closely with its neighbors. The District of Columbia pays more, at $77,520 a year (15% higher), while Maryland runs close behind Virginia at $68,970, about 2% above. North Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky each pay about 10% less than Virginia, and West Virginia trails furthest at $49,110, 27% lower. Licensure as a Surgical Tech can often be transferred or endorsed between neighboring states, which can simplify a move across state lines.

Surgical Techs in Virginia typically earn $67,580 a year ($32.49 an hour), a figure that has risen 47% over the past decade. Pay varies by city and experience level, from entry-level positions near $47,980 to top earners over $102,020. Readers weighing a move into the field, or a move within it, can check Virginia's licensing or registry requirements and compare local figures on individual city pages.