OR · Salem · Updated October 15, 2026

Surgical Technologist jobs in Salem, OR

Pay for surgical technologists in the Salem area centers on $36.16 per hour, or about $75,210 a year. The lower quarter earns under $28.61 and the upper quarter over $43.86. That ranks 38th of 281 U.S. metro areas for surgical technologist pay, and 38th of 261 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 2 hospitals in Salem. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Salem.

Surgical Technologist pay in Salem, OR

The metro median is 5% below the Oregon statewide median of $38.18 per hour. Nationally the median is $30.21 per hour. BLS counts about 120 surgical technologists employed in the Salem metro area, 0.7 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.90).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$26.00$54,08014% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$28.61$59,5105% below U.S. median
Median$36.16$75,21020% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$43.86$91,23045% above U.S. median
Top 10%$43.86$91,23045% above U.S. median

How Salem ranks

  • 38th of 281 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 38th of 261 after adjusting for local prices
  • 3rd of 5 Oregon 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 Salem

  • Overall prices in Salem run 4% above the U.S. average (index 103.6, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 10% above the U.S. average (index 110.3).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $36.16 median hour buys what $34.89 buys at the national price level, 15% 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 Salem, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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Estimate your Salem paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,302
  • Per year: $65,088
  • Per month: $5,424

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

Travel assignment per diem in Salem

ItemFederal 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).

Open Surgical Technologist roles in Oregon

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

PermanentPosted 7 days ago

Surgical Tech

CommonSpirit Health · Roseburg, OR

$32.30–$48.05/ hour
  • Part Time
  • Req 101713888320
New this week
View role

All Surgical Technologist jobs in Oregon

Hospitals in Salem

CMS lists 2 hospitals in Salem, 0 of the 1 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of surgical technologists.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Salem Hospital
Salem, OR
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes
Oregon State Hospital Distinct Part
Salem, OR
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
Albany, OR21 mi$38.18/hr57,156
Corvallis, OR27 mi$38.18/hr61,993
Tigard, OR36 mi$38.46/hr57,301
Beaverton, OR40 mi$38.46/hr98,302
Hillsboro, OR42 mi$38.46/hr110,337
Portland, OR46 mi$38.46/hr635,749

Surgical Technologist jobs in Oregon · Surgical Technologist jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Oregon

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

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

Oregon state guide

Other healthcare roles in Salem

Salem city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do surgical technologists make in Salem, OR?

Surgical Technologists in the Salem metro area have a median pay of $36.16 per hour, about $75,210 a year. The middle half earn between $28.61 and $43.86 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

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

Salem ranks 38th of 261 metro areas for surgical technologist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 38th of 281 before adjusting. Overall prices run 4% above the U.S. average.

Where do surgical technologists work in Salem?

CMS lists 2 hospitals in Salem, led by Salem Hospital. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a Oregon license to work in Salem as a surgical technologist?

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

The federal per diem benchmark in Salem 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 Salem?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Salem and across Oregon. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Salem.

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

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  1. 1
    Pay for your role at other hospitals

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    What they are offering now

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The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval: Health Care Staffing Services Certification, since 2022American Staffing Association memberNATHO member: National Association of Travel Healthcare OrganizationsNALTO member: National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations

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

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

1Pay for your role at other hospitals

  • LifePoint HealthMcMinnville, OR · 2 postings$32.88/ hr$27–$39
  • 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

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

2What they are offering now

Low$27Median$36.53High$58

4 Surg Tech postings with published pay in Oregon, 4 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 4 Surg Tech roles

  1. Certified Surgical Technician CSTPermanent
    $26.95–$38.80/ hour
    LifePoint Health · McMinnville, OR · posted 3 days ago
  2. Surgical TechPermanent
    $32.30–$48.05/ hour
    CommonSpirit Health · Roseburg, OR · posted 7 days ago

+ 2 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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