PayByState

Alabama · BLS SOC 29-2055

Surgical Technologist salary in Alabama

Median $52,120 · Top 10% earn $64,420+ · Roughly 1,647 workers in Alabama. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Alabama median
$52,120
$25.06/hr
Top 10%
$64,420
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$34,270
Entry-level range
Real pay
$59,634
CoL-adjusted (RPP 87.4)

Alabama pays meaningfully below the U.S. median for surgical technologists — $52,120 versus the national median of $60,610. Alabama's lower cost of living partially offsets the lower nominal pay, but real purchasing power is still below national average. The state employs roughly 1,647 surgical technologists.

What drives surgical technologist pay in Alabama

Alabama sits in the bottom quartile of U.S. surgical technologist pay. Lower nominal wages typically reflect rural-area service delivery, smaller hospital systems, and less-dense union or specialty employer presence — partially offset by a lower cost of living.

Alabama ranks #48 of 50 states

Where Alabama sits in the national distribution for surgical technologist pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. Alabama
#47 Louisiana $53,340 +$1,220
#46 Kentucky $53,940 +$1,820
#45 Oklahoma $53,940 +$1,820
#48 Alabama (this page) $52,120 —
#50 Arkansas $51,520 −$600
#51 Mississippi $50,910 −$1,210
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Alabama

The typical path is a postsecondary nondegree certificate (1–2 yr program), taking about 18 months. Tuition ranges from $5,000 (community college) to $28,000 (private accelerated). On the Alabama median of $52,120, payback periods are typically 1.4 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Surgical Technologist salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with Alabama selected.

Surgical Technologist salary in Alabama — FAQ

What is the average surgical technologist salary in Alabama?
The median surgical technologist salary in Alabama is $52,120 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $34,270; the top 10% earn $64,420 or more. About 1,647 people work in this role across the state.
How does Alabama surgical technologist pay compare to the national average?
Alabama's median of $52,120 is $8,490 below the U.S. national median of $60,610. After adjusting for Alabama's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 87.4), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $59,634.
Is surgical technologist a good career in Alabama?
On the data: Alabama employs roughly 1,647 surgical technologists, with a median wage of $52,120 and the top decile clearing $64,420. The role is projected to grow +5% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for surgical technologists in Alabama?
At the Alabama median of $52,120 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $25.06/hr. The top 10% earn around $30.97/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $16.48/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Alabama-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 29-2055: Surgical Technologists), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where Alabama's RPP is 87.4 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.