Salary data is based on the Birmingham, AL metropolitan area and applied to Birmingham using local cost-of-living adjustments.

Surgical Technologists Salaries in Birmingham, AL

Average Base Pay

$56,519/yr

17% below national average

Monthly

$4,710

Hourly

$27

Cost Index

Surgical Technologists in Birmingham, AL earn an average of $56,519 per year, with most salaries falling between $45,215 and $67,823 depending on experience, employer, and specialization. At 17% below the national average, Birmingham offers a more modest rate for this role, in part reflecting a local cost of living index of 70. For professionals evaluating a move or negotiating an offer, the headline salary is only part of the picture—what matters most is how far that income actually goes once taxes, rent, and daily expenses are factored in. The sections below break that down in full for Birmingham.

Salary Range

The chart below shows the full compensation spectrum for this role, from entry-level to senior positions. The highlighted center bars represent the 25th–75th percentile band where most professionals are paid.

$42K
Low

$57K
Median

$71K
High

25th percentile: $48K75th percentile: $65K

About Surgical Technologists

Surgical Technologists assist surgeons and surgical nurses in the operating room by preparing the sterile field, passing instruments and supplies during procedures, and maintaining sterile technique throughout surgery. They work across surgical specialties including general surgery, orthopedics, cardiothoracic, neurosurgery, obstetrics, and ophthalmology. In the pre-operative phase, surgical technologists retrieve and organize instruments, open sterile supplies, count instruments, sponges, and sharps with the circulating nurse, drape the patient, and position instruments within the sterile field. During surgery, they pass instruments and supplies to the surgeon, anticipate the next step of the procedure, cut suture, operate suction, and hold retractors. Post-operatively, they assist in closing the surgical wound, participate in final counts, remove draping, and help transfer the patient. Sterile technique is non-negotiable—any breach risks surgical site infection and serious patient harm. The field requires strong anatomical knowledge, attention to detail, and the ability to remain focused and respond quickly in high-pressure, fast-paced operative environments. Certification through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) and an associate degree in surgical technology are standard credentials.

What Surgical Technologists Do

Prepare and organize the sterile instrument field before surgery
Open sterile supplies and maintain sterile technique throughout the procedure
Count instruments, sponges, and sharps with the circulating nurse
Pass instruments and supplies to the surgeon during procedures
Anticipate surgeon needs and respond to changes in procedure
Assist with wound closure and dressing application
Participate in post-procedure counts and room turnover
Maintain and troubleshoot surgical instruments and specialized equipment

Key Skills & Qualifications

Sterile technique and surgical asepsis
Surgical anatomy and procedural knowledge across specialties
Instrument identification and surgical set preparation
Ability to anticipate surgeon needs during procedures
Count procedures and sharps safety compliance
Equipment operation including electrosurgical units and laparoscopic systems
CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) credential from NBSTSA
Composure and precision under high-pressure operative conditions

Career Path

Surgical Technology Student
Surgical Technologist
Specialty Certified Surgical Technologist
Lead Surgical Technologist / OR Coordinator
Surgical First Assistant / OR Manager

Surgical Technologists Market in Birmingham, AL

Salary Competitiveness

Birmingham currently pays 17% below the national median for Surgical Technologists. This gap can reflect a lower regional cost base, thinner employer density, or a surplus of qualified candidates relative to open roles—factors worth factoring into any offer negotiation or relocation calculation.

Cost of Living Impact

Birmingham's cost of living runs below the national average, which works in favor of this salary. Essential monthly expenses account for approximately 53% of take-home pay—a ratio that leaves meaningful room for savings, debt reduction, and discretionary spending compared with higher-cost metros.

Effective Purchasing Power

The purchasing power of $56,519 for a Surgical Technologists in Birmingham is moderate: enough to meet essential expenses and build incremental savings, but requiring deliberate budgeting to avoid margin erosion—especially as rent and healthcare costs have outpaced wage growth across many mid-tier markets.

vs. National Avg

-17%

Cost Pressure

53%

Purchasing Power

Moderate

Take-Home Pay Calculator

Enter any gross salary to see how federal and state taxes affect your actual take-home pay, broken down by year, month, and week. Results use an estimated effective tax rate of 27% based on this location and income level.

Annual Salary

Take-home (73%)Taxes (27%)

Annual Net

$41,259

Monthly

$3,438

Weekly

$793

Eff. Tax Rate

27%

A gross salary of $56,519 for a Surgical Technologists in Birmingham translates to roughly $3,438 in monthly take-home pay after estimated federal and state taxes. Set against monthly living costs of $1,814—covering housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare—that leaves approximately $1,624 per month in disposable income. That margin, not the gross number, is what determines whether you can comfortably cover rent, build savings, and afford discretionary spending in Birmingham's current market.

How far does this salary go in Birmingham?

Cost of Living in Birmingham

Estimated monthly expenses for a single person in Birmingham, benchmarked against US regional price indices for housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare.

Cost Index

Below Avg — US average is 100. Based on a single person (1-bed apartment).

🏠Housing / Rent$1,043/mo

🍔Food & Groceries$348/mo

🚗Transportation$94/mo

💡Utilities$122/mo

🏥Healthcare$207/mo

Monthly$1,814

Annual$21,768

Disposable Income$1,624

Financial Reality Check

This section compares estimated monthly take-home pay against typical living costs in Birmingham to show your real disposable income—the amount remaining after essential bills are paid each month.

Monthly Take-Home

$3,438

Living Costs

$1,814

Disposable

$1,624

Cost Index

Lifestyle

Moderate

With a monthly take-home of $3,438, your estimated living costs in Birmingham are $1,814 ($21,768/yr). This leaves $1,624 per month in disposable income, indicating a moderate standard of living. Birmingham's cost of living is 30% below the national average.

Overall, a Surgical Technologists earning $56,519 in Birmingham falls into a moderate lifestyle tier and can cover essentials and hit modest savings goals, though discretionary spending warrants careful planning. With a cost index of 70, Birmingham is 30% more affordable than the national average, which extends your purchasing power. Regardless of tier, prioritizing retirement contributions, an emergency fund of three to six months' expenses, and incremental debt reduction will yield the greatest long-term financial stability—especially as living costs in Birmingham continue to evolve.