Surgical Technologist jobs in Decatur, AL
Pay for surgical technologists in the Decatur area centers on $20.90 per hour, or about $43,460 a year. The lower quarter earns under $17.98 and the upper quarter over $23.10. That ranks 273rd of 281 U.S. metro areas for surgical technologist pay, and 258th of 261 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 1 hospital in Decatur. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Decatur.
- $20.90median pay per hour, Decatur
- $18–$23typical range per hour
- 40surgical technologists employed in the metro area
- 87cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Surgical Technologist pay in Decatur, AL
The metro median is 11% below the Alabama statewide median of $23.52 per hour. Nationally the median is $30.21 per hour. BLS counts about 40 surgical technologists employed in the Decatur metro area, 0.7 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is about as concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.01).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $17.48 | $36,360 | 42% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $17.98 | $37,400 | 40% below U.S. median |
| Median | $20.90 | $43,460 | 31% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $23.10 | $48,050 | 24% below U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $26.64 | $55,410 | 12% below U.S. median |
How Decatur ranks
- 273rd of 281 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 258th of 261 after adjusting for local prices
- 6th of 7 Alabama metro areas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Surgical Technologists (SOC 29-2055), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in Decatur
- Overall prices in Decatur run 13% below the U.S. average (index 87.2, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 42% below the U.S. average (index 58.1).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $20.90 median hour buys what $23.96 buys at the national price level, 21% below the national median.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.
Get the Decatur Surgical Technologist pay report
Named employers near Decatur, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Decatur paycheck
- Per year: $37,620
- Per month: $3,135
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Decatur metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Decatur
| Item | Federal rate |
|---|---|
| Lodging per night | $110 |
| Meals and incidentals per day | $68 |
| Per week (7 nights, 7 days) | $1,246 |
| 13-week assignment | $16,198 |
Travel surgical technologist assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free (this is the standard rate that applies here). Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.
Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).
Hospitals in Decatur
CMS lists 1 hospital in Decatur, 0 of the 1 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of surgical technologists.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur Morgan Hospital - Decatur Campus Decatur, AL | Acute care | Government and federal | 3 of 5 | Yes |
Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.
Surgical Technologist pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison, AL | 16 mi | $25.79/hr | 64,029 |
| Huntsville, AL | 20 mi | $25.79/hr | 230,402 |
| Birmingham, AL | 73 mi | $24.73/hr | 196,357 |
| Spring Hill, TN | 81 mi | $29.04/hr | 59,398 |
| Hoover, AL | 83 mi | $24.73/hr | 93,013 |
| Franklin, TN | 93 mi | $29.04/hr | 89,142 |
Surgical Technologist jobs in Alabama · Surgical Technologist jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in Alabama
CST certification or completion of an accredited program. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Alabama requires for your role with the Alabama licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
Alabama taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Decatur
Decatur city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Decatur, AL?
Surgical Technologists in the Decatur metro area have a median pay of $20.90 per hour, about $43,460 a year. The middle half earn between $17.98 and $23.10 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Decatur a good place for surgical technologists once cost of living is counted?
Decatur ranks 258th of 261 metro areas for surgical technologist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 273rd of 281 before adjusting. Overall prices run 13% below the U.S. average.
Where do surgical technologists work in Decatur?
CMS lists 1 hospital in Decatur, led by Decatur Morgan Hospital - Decatur Campus. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Alabama license to work in Decatur as a surgical technologist?
CST certification or completion of an accredited program. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Alabama requires for your role with the Alabama licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Decatur?
The federal per diem benchmark in Decatur is $110 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,246 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.
Does Valorem Health place surgical technologists in Decatur?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Decatur and across Alabama. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Decatur.
What do employers near Decatur pay surgical technologists? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
Get your free pay report
45+ Surgical Technologist roles in Alabama, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your Surg Tech pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your Alabama list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other hospitals
- Seattle Children'sSeattle, WA · 4 postings$48.62/ hr$31–$60
- CommonSpirit HealthSTOCKTON, CA · 10 postings$47.95/ hr$32–$62
- Fairview Health ServicesBurnsville, MN · 6 postings$46.05/ hr$32–$54
- NewYork-PresbyterianNew York · 6 postings$44.62/ hr$33–$51
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Alabama list
2What they are offering now
293 Surg Tech postings with published pay in the US, 229 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open Surg Tech roles
Open Surg Tech roles near Decatur, AL, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.