Surgical Technologist salary in Kentucky
Surgical Technologists in Kentucky earn a median of $60,490 a year ($29.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,440 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,980 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $64,650. Kentucky ranks 43rd of 51 states for surgical technologists pay. There are 0.72 surgical technologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $61,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical technologists in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,440 | $19.92 |
| 25th percentile | $50,300 | $24.18 |
| Median | $60,490 | $29.08 |
| 75th percentile | $66,630 | $32.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,980 | $38.45 |
| Average (mean) | $61,370 | $29.50 |
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 | $5,040.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,520.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,326.54 |
| Weekly | $1,163.27 |
| Hourly | $29.08 |
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 Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $63,590 | 540 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $63,450 | 670 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $61,870 | 270 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $58,770 | 60 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $57,570 | 60 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $52,510 | 70 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $51,070 | 160 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,200 | $18.84 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $60,460 | $29.07 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $60,880 | $29.27 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $48,410 | $23.28 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $69,670 | $33.50 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $49,410 | $23.76 |
| Paramedic | $49,890 | $23.99 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $39,590 | $19.03 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $38,990 | $18.75 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $44,290 | $21.29 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $60,980 | $29.32 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $91,230 | $43.86 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $40,370 | $19.41 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for surgical technologists in Kentucky is $60,490 a year, or $29.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical technologists make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of surgical technologists in Kentucky earn at least $79,980 a year. The top 25% earn $66,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical technologists in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,440 a year, and a quarter of surgical technologists earn $50,300 or less.
How many surgical technologists work in Kentucky?
About 1,440 surgical technologists are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.