PayByState

New Jersey · BLS SOC 29-2055

Surgical Technologist salary in New Jersey

Median $67,880 · Top 10% earn $94,000+ · Roughly 3,074 workers in New Jersey. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

New Jersey median
$67,880
$32.63/hr
Top 10%
$94,000
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$44,630
Entry-level range
Real pay
$59,859
CoL-adjusted (RPP 113.4)

New Jersey pays modestly above the U.S. median for surgical technologists — $67,880 versus the national median of $60,610. After adjusting for New Jersey's high cost of living, real purchasing power is actually below the U.S. average — the headline number is misleading. The state employs roughly 3,074 surgical technologists.

What drives surgical technologist pay in New Jersey

New Jersey surgical tech pay tracks above national median, driven by NYC-area hospital pricing and major systems (Atlantic Health, Hackensack Meridian, RWJBarnabas).

New Jersey ranks #11 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. New Jersey
#10 Connecticut $68,490 +$610
#9 Hawaii $68,490 +$610
#8 Oregon $69,100 +$1,220
#11 New Jersey (this page) $67,880 —
#12 Maryland $66,670 −$1,210
#13 Minnesota $64,850 −$3,030
#14 Colorado $64,250 −$3,630
See all 50 states →

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Education path for New Jersey

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 New Jersey median of $67,880, payback periods are typically 0.8 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 New Jersey selected.

Surgical Technologist salary in New Jersey — FAQ

What is the average surgical technologist salary in New Jersey?
The median surgical technologist salary in New Jersey is $67,880 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $44,630; the top 10% earn $94,000 or more. About 3,074 people work in this role across the state.
How does New Jersey surgical technologist pay compare to the national average?
New Jersey's median of $67,880 is $7,270 above the U.S. national median of $60,610. After adjusting for New Jersey's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 113.4), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $59,859.
Is surgical technologist a good career in New Jersey?
On the data: New Jersey employs roughly 3,074 surgical technologists, with a median wage of $67,880 and the top decile clearing $94,000. 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 New Jersey?
At the New Jersey median of $67,880 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $32.63/hr. The top 10% earn around $45.19/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $21.46/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

New Jersey-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 New Jersey's RPP is 113.4 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.