Surgical Technologist salary in Illinois
Surgical Technologists in Illinois earn a median of $64,650 a year ($31.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,570 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,890 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $64,650. Illinois ranks 22nd of 51 states for surgical technologists pay. There are 0.59 surgical technologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $70,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical technologists in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,560 | $23.35 |
| 25th percentile | $60,160 | $28.92 |
| Median | $64,650 | $31.08 |
| 75th percentile | $77,670 | $37.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,890 | $44.18 |
| Average (mean) | $70,070 | $33.69 |
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 | $5,387.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,693.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,486.54 |
| Weekly | $1,243.27 |
| Hourly | $31.08 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Surgical Technologist salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IL | $68,140 | 80 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $66,360 | 2,530 |
| Springfield, IL | $62,590 | 130 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $61,790 | 810 |
| Rockford, IL | $61,740 | 160 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $60,520 | 110 |
| Kankakee, IL | $59,940 | 40 |
| Peoria, IL | $59,470 | 180 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $57,570 | 60 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $49,880 | 60 |
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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $46,650 | $22.43 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $75,000 | $36.06 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $71,950 | $34.59 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $46,200 | $22.21 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $42,260 | $20.32 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $79,930 | $38.43 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $56,440 | $27.14 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $46,440 | $22.33 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $49,930 | $24.00 |
| Paramedic | $60,660 | $29.16 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $100,660 | $48.40 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $47,100 | $22.64 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $43,960 | $21.14 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $95,380 | $45.86 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for surgical technologists in Illinois is $64,650 a year, or $31.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical technologists make in Illinois?
The top 10% of surgical technologists in Illinois earn at least $91,890 a year. The top 25% earn $77,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical technologists in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,560 a year, and a quarter of surgical technologists earn $60,160 or less.
How many surgical technologists work in Illinois?
About 3,570 surgical technologists are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.