Surgical Technologist salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Surgical Technologists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $62,250 a year ($29.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,630 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $64,650. Pay here is 3% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $60,540. There are 0.57 surgical technologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $62,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical technologists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,640 | $24.83 |
| 25th percentile | $60,760 | $29.21 |
| Median | $62,250 | $29.93 |
| 75th percentile | $62,730 | $30.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,630 | $35.40 |
| Average (mean) | $62,650 | $30.12 |
Half of surgical technologists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,187.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,593.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,394.23 |
| Weekly | $1,197.12 |
| Hourly | $29.93 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Surgical Technologist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $65,050 | 380 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $60,520 | 110 |
| Dubuque, IA | $60,500 | 40 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $59,910 | 40 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $59,670 | 90 |
| Iowa City, IA | $58,930 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for surgical technologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $82,640 |
| Oregon | $81,390 |
| California | $81,310 |
| Massachusetts | $80,870 |
| Alaska | $80,380 |
| Minnesota | $80,210 |
| Connecticut | $79,890 |
| New York | $79,550 |
| District of Columbia | $77,520 |
| Washington | $77,270 |
See Surgical Technologist pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $46,620 | $22.41 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $63,670 | $30.61 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $50,240 | $24.16 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $67,640 | $32.52 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $49,960 | $24.02 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $54,270 | $26.09 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $39,750 | $19.11 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $42,470 | $20.42 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $46,080 | $22.16 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $47,780 | $22.97 |
| Paramedic | $61,980 | $29.80 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $87,080 | $41.87 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $48,570 | $23.35 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $78,850 | $37.91 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2055. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a surgical technologist make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for surgical technologists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $62,250 a year, or $29.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical technologists make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of surgical technologists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $73,630 a year. The top 25% earn $62,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical technologists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,640 a year, and a quarter of surgical technologists earn $60,760 or less.
How many surgical technologists work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 230 surgical technologists are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.