Illinois · BLS SOC 29-2055

Surgical Technologist salary in Illinois

Q: What is the average surgical technologist salary in Illinois?

The median surgical technologist salary in Illinois is $62,430 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $41,050; the top 10% earn $83,230 or more. About 4,282 people work in this role across the state.

Q: How does Illinois surgical technologist pay compare to the national average?

Illinois's median of $62,430 is $1,820 above the U.S. national median of $60,610. After adjusting for Illinois's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 99.4), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $62,807.

Median $62,430 · Top 10% earn $83,230+ · Roughly 4,282 workers in Illinois. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Illinois median: $62,430; $30.01/hr
Top 10%: $83,230; 90th percentile
Bottom 10%: $41,050; Entry-level range
Real pay: $62,807; CoL-adjusted (RPP 99.4)

Illinois pays close to the U.S. median for surgical technologists — $62,430 versus the national median of $60,610. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 4,282 surgical technologists.

What drives surgical technologist pay in Illinois

Illinois surgical tech pay is competitive in the Chicago metro, driven by Northwestern Memorial, Rush, and University of Chicago Medicine. Cook County Health (public hospital system) offers union pay and pension.

Illinois ranks #18 of 50 states

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

Rank	State	Median	vs. Illinois
#16	New Hampshire	$63,640	+$1,210
#15	Rhode Island	$63,640	+$1,210
#14	Colorado	$64,250	+$1,820
#18	Illinois (this page)	$62,430	—
#19	Delaware	$61,220	−$1,210
#20	Arizona	$60,000	−$2,430
#21	Maine	$60,000	−$2,430

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Education path for Illinois

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 Illinois median of $62,430, payback periods are typically 0.9 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 Illinois selected.

Surgical Technologist salary in Illinois — FAQ

What is the average surgical technologist salary in Illinois?

The median surgical technologist salary in Illinois is $62,430 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $41,050; the top 10% earn $83,230 or more. About 4,282 people work in this role across the state.

How does Illinois surgical technologist pay compare to the national average?

Illinois's median of $62,430 is $1,820 above the U.S. national median of $60,610. After adjusting for Illinois's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 99.4), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $62,807.

Is surgical technologist a good career in Illinois?

On the data: Illinois employs roughly 4,282 surgical technologists, with a median wage of $62,430 and the top decile clearing $83,230. 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 Illinois?

At the Illinois median of $62,430 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $30.01/hr. The top 10% earn around $40.01/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $19.74/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Illinois-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 Illinois's RPP is 99.4 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.