Surgical Technologist salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Surgical Technologists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $59,910 a year ($28.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,190 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $64,650. Pay here is 1% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $60,540. There are 0.48 surgical technologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $56,690, close to the median.
Pay range for surgical technologists in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,790 | $19.13 |
| 25th percentile | $50,490 | $24.27 |
| Median | $59,910 | $28.80 |
| 75th percentile | $60,920 | $29.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,190 | $29.90 |
| Average (mean) | $56,690 | $27.25 |
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 | $4,992.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,496.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,304.23 |
| Weekly | $1,152.12 |
| Hourly | $28.80 |
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 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $62,250 | 230 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $60,520 | 110 |
| Dubuque, IA | $60,500 | 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $59,950 | $28.82 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $40,950 | $19.69 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $47,800 | $22.98 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $64,370 | $30.95 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $46,570 | $22.39 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $43,500 | $20.91 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $45,210 | $21.74 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $80,620 | $38.76 |
| Paramedic | $62,350 | $29.98 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $44,930 | $21.60 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $39,270 | $18.88 |
| Registered Nurse | $76,920 | $36.98 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,330 | $60.73 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for surgical technologists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $59,910 a year, or $28.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical technologists make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of surgical technologists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $62,190 a year. The top 25% earn $60,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical technologists in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,790 a year, and a quarter of surgical technologists earn $50,490 or less.
How many surgical technologists work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 40 surgical technologists are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.