Surgical Technologist salary in Iowa
Surgical Technologists in Iowa earn a median of $60,540 a year ($29.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 950 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,100 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $64,650. Iowa ranks 41st of 51 states for surgical technologists pay. There are 0.61 surgical technologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $60,450, close to the median.
Pay range for surgical technologists in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,280 | $22.73 |
| 25th percentile | $50,680 | $24.37 |
| Median | $60,540 | $29.11 |
| 75th percentile | $62,880 | $30.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,100 | $36.11 |
| Average (mean) | $60,450 | $29.06 |
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 | $5,045 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,522.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,328.46 |
| Weekly | $1,164.23 |
| Hourly | $29.11 |
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 Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $65,050 | 380 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $62,250 | 230 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $62,630 | $30.11 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $44,860 | $21.57 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $54,260 | $26.09 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $65,930 | $31.70 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $50,640 | $24.35 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $47,910 | $23.04 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $40,660 | $19.55 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $45,560 | $21.90 |
| Paramedic | $60,590 | $29.13 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $44,480 | $21.39 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $86,480 | $41.58 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $42,910 | $20.63 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $44,030 | $21.17 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $78,850 | $37.91 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for surgical technologists in Iowa is $60,540 a year, or $29.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical technologists make in Iowa?
The top 10% of surgical technologists in Iowa earn at least $75,100 a year. The top 25% earn $62,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical technologists in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,280 a year, and a quarter of surgical technologists earn $50,680 or less.
How many surgical technologists work in Iowa?
About 950 surgical technologists are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.