Surgical Technologist jobs in Columbia, MO
Pay for surgical technologists in the Columbia area centers on $24.30 per hour, or about $50,550 a year. The lower quarter earns under $24.30 and the upper quarter over $29.79. That ranks 252nd of 281 U.S. metro areas for surgical technologist pay, and 232nd of 261 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 4 hospitals in Columbia. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Columbia.
- $24.30median pay per hour, Columbia
- $24–$30typical range per hour
- 120surgical technologists employed in the metro area
- 89cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Surgical Technologist pay in Columbia, MO
The metro median is 16% below the Missouri statewide median of $29.05 per hour. Nationally the median is $30.21 per hour. BLS counts about 120 surgical technologists employed in the Columbia metro area, 1.2 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.56).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $20.19 | $42,000 | 33% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $24.30 | $50,540 | 20% below U.S. median |
| Median | $24.30 | $50,550 | 20% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $29.79 | $61,960 | 1% below U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $31.46 | $65,440 | 4% above U.S. median |
How Columbia ranks
- 252nd of 281 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 232nd of 261 after adjusting for local prices
- 6th of 7 Missouri 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 Columbia
- Overall prices in Columbia run 11% below the U.S. average (index 89.4, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 31% below the U.S. average (index 69.2).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $24.30 median hour buys what $27.17 buys at the national price level, 10% 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 Columbia Surgical Technologist pay report
Named employers near Columbia, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Columbia paycheck
- Per year: $43,740
- Per month: $3,645
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Columbia metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Columbia
| 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 Columbia
CMS lists 4 hospitals in Columbia, 2 of the 3 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of surgical technologists.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boone Hospital Center Columbia, MO | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Columbia Mo Va Medical Center Columbia, MO | Acute Care - Veterans Administration | Government and federal | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| University Of Missouri Health Care Columbia, MO | Acute care | Government and federal | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Centerpointe Hospital Of Columbia Columbia, MO | Psychiatric | For-profit | Not rated | No |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| O'Fallon, MO | 87 mi | $30.21/hr | 95,355 |
| St. Peters, MO | 93 mi | $30.21/hr | 61,398 |
| St. Charles, MO | 98 mi | $30.21/hr | 72,458 |
| Blue Springs, MO | 104 mi | $29.93/hr | 61,246 |
| Florissant, MO | 108 mi | $30.21/hr | 51,290 |
| Independence, MO | 109 mi | $29.93/hr | 121,629 |
Surgical Technologist jobs in Missouri · Surgical Technologist jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in Missouri
CST certification or completion of an accredited program. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Missouri requires for your role with the Missouri licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
Missouri taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Columbia
Columbia city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Columbia, MO?
Surgical Technologists in the Columbia metro area have a median pay of $24.30 per hour, about $50,550 a year. The middle half earn between $24.30 and $29.79 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Columbia a good place for surgical technologists once cost of living is counted?
Columbia ranks 232nd of 261 metro areas for surgical technologist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 252nd of 281 before adjusting. Overall prices run 11% below the U.S. average.
Where do surgical technologists work in Columbia?
CMS lists 4 hospitals in Columbia, led by Boone Hospital Center. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Missouri license to work in Columbia as a surgical technologist?
CST certification or completion of an accredited program. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Missouri requires for your role with the Missouri 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 Columbia?
The federal per diem benchmark in Columbia 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 Columbia?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Columbia and across Missouri. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Columbia.
What do employers near Columbia 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
50+ Surgical Technologist roles in Missouri, 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 Missouri 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 Missouri 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 Columbia, MO, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.