NY · Buffalo · Updated October 15, 2026

Surgical Technologist jobs in Buffalo, NY

Pay for surgical technologists in the Buffalo area centers on $33.84 per hour, or about $70,390 a year. The lower quarter earns under $31.38 and the upper quarter over $37.59. That ranks 46th of 281 U.S. metro areas for surgical technologist pay, and 34th of 261 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 7 hospitals in Buffalo. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Buffalo.

Surgical Technologist pay in Buffalo, NY

The metro median is 6% below the New York statewide median of $36.18 per hour. Nationally the median is $30.21 per hour. BLS counts about 480 surgical technologists employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga metro area, 0.9 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.21).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$27.53$57,2609% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$31.38$65,2704% above U.S. median
Median$33.84$70,39012% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$37.59$78,19024% above U.S. median
Top 10%$39.03$81,18029% above U.S. median

How Buffalo ranks

  • 46th of 281 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 34th of 261 after adjusting for local prices
  • 2nd of 7 New York 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 Buffalo

  • Overall prices in Buffalo-Cheektowaga run 4% below the U.S. average (index 95.8, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 19% below the U.S. average (index 81.0).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $33.84 median hour buys what $35.31 buys at the national price level, 17% above 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.

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Named employers near Buffalo, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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Estimate your Buffalo paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,218
  • Per year: $60,912
  • Per month: $5,076

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Buffalo-Cheektowaga metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Travel assignment per diem in Buffalo

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$128
Meals and incidentals per day$80
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,456
13-week assignment$18,928

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. 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).

Open Surgical Technologist roles in New York

Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Buffalo as they open.

PermanentPosted 3 days ago

Surgical Tech - OR

Garnet Health · Middletown, NY

$36.98–$44.10/ hour
  • Regular Full-Time GHMC MAIN CAMPUS 1
  • Req 29512
New this week
View role

All Surgical Technologist jobs in New York

Hospitals in Buffalo

CMS lists 7 hospitals in Buffalo, 1 of the 5 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of surgical technologists.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Upstate New York Va Healthcare System (Western Ny Va Healthcare System)
Buffalo, NY
Acute Care - Veterans AdministrationGovernment and federal5 of 5Yes
Kaleida Health
Buffalo, NY
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes
Sisters Of Charity Hospital
Buffalo, NY
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes
Erie County Medical Center
Buffalo, NY
Acute careNonprofit2 of 5Yes
Mercy Hospital Of Buffalo
Buffalo, NY
Acute careNonprofit2 of 5Yes
Brylin Hosp
Buffalo, NY
PsychiatricFor-profitNot ratedNo
Buffalo Psychiatric Center
Buffalo, NY
PsychiatricGovernment and federalNot ratedNo

Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.

Surgical Technologist pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Rochester, NY66 mi$28.17/hr207,282
Erie, PA82 mi$24.92/hr92,940
Syracuse, NY138 mi$30.46/hr146,097
Youngstown, OH154 mi$25.51/hr59,123
Cleveland, OH174 mi$29.69/hr365,379
Pittsburgh, PA179 mi$29.49/hr307,668

Surgical Technologist jobs in New York · Surgical Technologist jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in New York

CST certification or completion of an accredited program. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what New York requires for your role with the New York licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

New York taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

New York state guide

Other healthcare roles in Buffalo

Buffalo city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do surgical technologists make in Buffalo, NY?

Surgical Technologists in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga metro area have a median pay of $33.84 per hour, about $70,390 a year. The middle half earn between $31.38 and $37.59 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Buffalo a good place for surgical technologists once cost of living is counted?

Buffalo-Cheektowaga ranks 34th of 261 metro areas for surgical technologist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 46th of 281 before adjusting. Overall prices run 4% below the U.S. average.

Where do surgical technologists work in Buffalo?

CMS lists 7 hospitals in Buffalo, led by Upstate New York Va Healthcare System (Western Ny Va Healthcare System). Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a New York license to work in Buffalo as a surgical technologist?

CST certification or completion of an accredited program. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what New York requires for your role with the New York 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 Buffalo?

The federal per diem benchmark in Buffalo is $128 a night for lodging and $80 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,456 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.

Does Valorem Health place surgical technologists in Buffalo?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Buffalo and across New York. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Buffalo.

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What do employers near Buffalo pay surgical technologists? Get the report.

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Pay report · Surg Tech near Buffalo, NY
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Surg Tech pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your New York list by name comes with the full report

1Pay for your role at other hospitals

  • NewYork-PresbyterianNew York · 6 postings$44.62/ hr$33–$51
  • United Health ServicesNorwich, NY · 2 postings$31.04/ hr$25–$38
  • Seattle Children'sSeattle, WA · 4 postings$48.62/ hr$31–$60
  • CommonSpirit HealthSTOCKTON, CA · 10 postings$47.95/ hr$32–$62

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your New York list

2What they are offering now

Low$26Median$35.82High$50

12 Surg Tech postings with published pay in New York, 12 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 12 Surg Tech roles

  1. Medical Surgical Technician - Center for Special Studies (TWO locations: East 68th Street and West 23rd Street)Permanent
    $32.55–$39.06/ hour
    NewYork-Presbyterian · New York · posted yesterday
  2. Operating Room Technician I - Pediatric Operating Room - DaysPermanent
    $44.95–$50.65/ hour
    NewYork-Presbyterian · New York · posted 2 days ago

+ 10 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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