SOC 29-2055 · Iowa City, IA metro

Surgical Technologists Salary in Iowa City, IA

The average salary for surgical technologists in Iowa City, Iowa is $59,170 a year ($28.45 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $58,930: half of the 120 people in this job in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 14% less than the U.S. average for this job ($68,710).

$59,170average per year

$28.45 / hourMedian $58,930Take-home ≈ $48,086

  • $50K10th
  • $50K25th
  • $59KMedian
  • $64K75th
  • $64K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

120people in this job
-14%vs U.S. average
#5 of 6Iowa metros
92cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Surgical Technologists pay range in Iowa City

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $50,470 a year or less, while the top 10% make $63,990 or more. The middle half of surgical technologists in Iowa City earn between $50,470 and $63,990.

  • $50K10th
  • $50K25th
  • $59KMedian
  • $64K75th
  • $64K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$59,170$4,931$28.45
Median$58,930$4,911$28.33
Entry level (25th percentile)$50,470$4,206$24.26
Experienced (75th percentile)$63,990$5,332$30.76

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Surgical Technologists pay in Iowa City vs. Iowa and the U.S.

Surgical technologists in Iowa City earn about the same as the Iowa average ($60,450) and 14% less than the U.S. average ($68,710). At the median the gap is -9% against the U.S. median of $64,650.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Iowa City$59,170$58,930$50,470$63,990120
Iowa$60,450$60,540$47,280$75,100950
United States$68,710$64,650$45,940$96,940117,460

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Surgical Technologists salary after taxes in Iowa City

On the average salary of $59,170, a single filer in Iowa City takes home about $48,086 a year, or $4,007 a month and $1,849 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Iowa school district surtaxes (a percentage of state tax in some districts) are not included.

Iowa paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Iowa City a good place for surgical technologists? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Iowa City area are 8% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 91.5), so the average $59,170 buys what about $64,660 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.2 times the median wage of all jobs in Iowa City ($50,060). A typical home costs $302,063, or 5.1 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $59,170 is worth in another city

Surgical Technologists salary in other Iowa cities

Iowa City ranks 5th of 6 Iowa metro areas for this job; Sioux City pays the most ($63,990).

All Surgical Technologists salaries in Iowa

Highest-paying cities for surgical technologists

San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($105,420).

Surgical Technologists salary by city

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Reviewed before it counts. Surgical Technologists in Iowa City, IA.

Surgical Technologists salary in Iowa City: questions

How much do surgical technologists make an hour in Iowa City?

$28.45 an hour on average, and $28.33 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level surgical technologists salary in Iowa City?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $50,470 a year and the 25th percentile is $50,470, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the surgical technologists take-home pay in Iowa City?

About $48,086 a year ($4,007 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $59,170. Iowa school district surtaxes (a percentage of state tax in some districts) are not included.

Do surgical technologists earn more in Iowa City than elsewhere?

The average here is 14% less than the U.S. average for this job ($68,710).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 29-2055; area Iowa City, IA (26980). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.4%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Iowa school district surtaxes (a percentage of state tax in some districts) are not included.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 1.63, this job is 1.6 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.

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