Surgical Technologist.
Portland.
$63,000
median salary, 11% above the national average
$52,000 to $76,000. Updated for 2026.
The numbers.
Everything you need to negotiate with confidence.
A Surgical Technologist in Portland earns a median of $63,000 in 2026. That is 11% above the national average. The range runs from $52,000 to $76,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. Surgical specialty drives compensation, with cardiovascular, neuro, and robotic surgery techs earning the most.
Salary range
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How Portland compares
Portland, OR
$63,000
Cost of living: 10% above average
National Average
$57,000
Portland is $6,000 above
What you should know
Here is what the Surgical Technologist market actually looks like in Portland. Portland's tech scene is anchored by Intel's semiconductor campus and a strong cluster of sportswear and creative companies including Nike and Adidas. The city attracts professionals who value work life balance and sustainability. Salaries are moderate compared to Seattle, but the lower cost of living makes Portland a solid value proposition. Surgical specialty drives compensation, with cardiovascular, neuro, and robotic surgery techs earning the most. Certification through NBSTSA is increasingly required and commands higher pay. Level I trauma centers and academic medical centers pay above community hospitals, and call pay for after-hours coverage adds meaningful income.
New surgical techs start at $45,000 to $50,000 with certification. Experienced techs in specialty ORs earn $58,000 to $68,000 after five years. Lead surgical techs or first assistants can reach $70,000 to $82,000, with surgical first assist certification opening the highest pay tier. In Portland, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Surgical techs receive call pay of $3 to $6 per hour when on standby, plus overtime for emergency cases. Benefits include health insurance, scrub allowances, and certification renewal reimbursement. Some hospitals offer retention bonuses in tight labor markets. And on the tax side: oregon has no sales tax, but state income tax rates climb to 9.9%. Portland adds a local arts tax and metro supportive housing tax. Factor these into your net pay calculations. When someone quotes you $63,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Highlight your willingness to work hybrid in Portland's tech campuses. Intel, Nike, and other major employers reward in person collaboration with higher compensation bands. The range for Surgical Technologists in Portland runs from $52,000 to $76,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Top industries in Portland
Negotiating in Portland
Highlight your willingness to work hybrid in Portland's tech campuses. Intel, Nike, and other major employers reward in person collaboration with higher compensation bands.