• News
    • Industry Trends
    • Hot Markets
    • Weekly Top 10
    • Hospital Strikes
  • Career
    • Traveler Tips
    • First-Time Traveler
    • Ask The Expert
  • Reviews
    • Agency Reviews
      • Share Your Experience
    • Hospital Reviews
      • Share Your Experience
  • Network
    • Your Photos
    • Traveler Stories
    • Traveler Lifestyle
  • Resources
    • Find A Hospital
    • Compact Licensure Map
    • Licensing
    • Certifications
      • ANCC
      • AHA
    • Continuing Education
      • CEU Directory
      • Nurse.com
      • Relias Academy
      • Wild Iris Medical Education
      • WorldWideLearn
  • Find High-Paying Jobs
    • Search All Jobs
    • Connect With A Recruiter
    • Top Markets
    • Travel CST Salary By State
    • Travel Nursing Salary By State
  • About Us
HCT Today
SHARE YOUR STORY GET THE SCOOP

HCT Today Dedicated News Site For Healthcare Travelers

January 27, 2023
  • StaffDNA Career Profile Benefits
  • Career Profile Login
HCT Today
SHARE YOUR STORY

  • News
    • Industry Trends
    • Hot Markets
    • Weekly Top 10
    • Hospital Strikes
  • Career
    • Traveler Tips
    • First-Time Traveler
    • Ask The Expert
  • Reviews
    • Agency Reviews
      • Share Your Experience
    • Hospital Reviews
      • Share Your Experience
  • Network
    • Your Photos
    • Traveler Stories
    • Traveler Lifestyle
  • Resources
    • Find A Hospital
    • Compact Licensure Map
    • Licensing
    • Certifications
      • ANCC
      • AHA
    • Continuing Education
      • CEU Directory
      • Nurse.com
      • Relias Academy
      • Wild Iris Medical Education
      • WorldWideLearn
  • Find High-Paying Jobs
    • Search All Jobs
    • Connect With A Recruiter
    • Top Markets
    • Travel CST Salary By State
    • Travel Nursing Salary By State
  • About Us
Career First-Time Traveler Market Data

5 Most Expensive States for Travel Certified Surgical Techs

admin@staffdna.comAugust 8, 20180 Views0

One of the benefits of being a travel certified surgical tech is having the flexibility to work anywhere. However, in some locations, travelers may end up spending more money than they earn.

Using the exact opposite criteria as our Five Best Value States for Travel Certified Surgical Techs, we looked at the 30 lowest paying states and singled out the locations that were at least 5 points above the 100.00 baseline of the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis’ regional price parity index (PPI). In locations above baseline, you can expect to pay more for rent and other basic consumer goods like food and gas.

We pulled this data from our Travel Certified Surgical Tech Pay Rankings and Cost of Living By State guide. There are some important details to consider when looking at this list:

  • Pay package information is pulled directly from the StaffDNA job board, so only 37 states were available for comparison as of Aug. 8, 2018.
  • Only three states met both criteria, so the selection range was expanded to include the bottom 30 states instead of just 20.

It’s important to remember this list doesn’t represent every possible pay package from every agency in every state. Travelers should always talk with their recruiter to get the most current picture of career options available to them.

All that said, let’s take a look at our list.

Most Expensive States Travel Certified Surgical Techs

5. Washington

washington-most expensive state travel certified surgical techs

Washington is the first of two exceptions to make our ‘Most Expensive’ list. The state ranks at No. 15 on our pay package list, but also has a 105.5 PPI rating.

Despite being the largest city in the state, Seattle is not even in the top 10 most expensive places to live, according to data analytics site HomeSnacks. However, most of Washington’s expensive cities are located in or around the same northwest region.

Find travel certified surgical tech opportunities in Washington here >>

4. New York

New York-most expensive states travel certified surgical techs

The home of The Big Apple is the second exception on our ‘Most Expensive’ list, even with its relatively high pay package offerings for travel certified surgical techs.

The state made our list because of its sky-high PPI rating of 115.6. The only state with a higher average cost-of-living rating is Hawaii.

Despite those high costs, New York is always a popular travel destination, so don’t wait to apply if you find an assignment opportunity that fits your schedule.

Find travel certified surgical tech opportunities in New York here >>

3. Alaska

paxson-woelber-unsplash-alaska-byron-glacier-most expensive states travel certified surgical techs

Alaska’s less-than-stellar average pay packages—No. 27 on our list—and PPI rating of 105.4 solidified its spot on our third most-expensive state for travel certified surgical techs.

Rent and food costs are among the other main factors for Alaska’s expensive price tag. The average price for a studio apartment is $1,190, which is $128 higher than the national average, according to SmartAsset.com.

The state may be expensive, but job needs are often very low year-round. Travel CSTs who want to experience Alaska’s natural beauty need to be aggressive when looking for a new assignment, especially during the more temperate summer months.

Find travel certified surgical tech opportunities in Alaska here >>

2. Maryland

Fort Washigton-Maryland-most expensive states travel certified surgical techs

With low average pay and a high cost-of-living, Maryland may not be the best place to earn money as a travel certified surgical tech. The state ranked at No. 34 on our pay package list and has a PPI rating of 109.5, which put it in second place on our ‘most expensive’ list.

Travelers may be able to avoid high rents by staying away from Washington D.C. and the surrounding suburbs, which have some of the highest average rents in the nation.

If travelers do decide to visit Maryland, planning a weekend trip to D.C. can provide some low-cost fun, as many of our nation’s most iconic monuments and museums are available to visit, free of charge.

Find travel certified surgical tech opportunities in Maryland here >>

1. Massachusetts

Boston-West End-Massachusetts-most expensive states travel certified surgical techs

Similar to some of the states on our travel nurse list, the most expensive state for travel certified surgical techs suffers from pricy East Coast living and very low pay packages.

Massachusetts isn’t the most costly state with a PPI rating of 107.8, but the average pay for a travel CST hovers around $1,265. The only states who pay less on average based on StaffDNA data are Texas and North Carolina, but both of those states have much lower living expenses.

It may not be the best state to earn money as a travel CST, but that doesn’t stop Massachusetts from being a fantastic tourist destination for history buffs, baseball fans and more.

Find travel certified surgical tech opportunities in Massachusetts here >>


    Subscribe to Get The Scoop

    Every week, we'll deliver the travel healthcare news you need to know directly to your inbox. Get the latest breaking articles and insider tips!

    AlaskaCertified Surgical TechMarket DataMarylandmassachusettsNew YorkTravel AlliedWashingtonWashington D.C.
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Share
    • Share
    • Email
    • Comment
    • SHARE5 Most Expensive States for Travel Certified Surgical Techs
      • Pin
      • Share
      • Share
    Previous ArticleEMR Conversions: Cerner Jobs Available For Fall In Virginia, Epic In New Mexico
    Next ArticleTravel Jobs: Where Travelers Applied in July, Expectations for August
    admin@staffdna.com

    You may also like

    5 Ways To Make Sure You Always Land A Travel Healthcare Contract

    Top 10 Highest-Paying Travel Healthcare Jobs Nov. 28 – Dec. 2

    ‘Sorry, I Don’t Have Any 8’s’: Nurses Slam State Senator On Social Media For ‘Nurses Play Cards’ Comments

    Leave a Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Browse Topics

    • Agency Advice
    • Agency Reviews
    • Ask The Expert
    • Career
    • Compliance
    • Continuing Education
    • EMR Conversions
    • eNLC
    • Featured
    • First-Time Traveler
    • For A Laugh
    • Healthcare Roundup
    • Hot Markets
    • Housing
    • Industry Trends
    • Inspiration
    • Licensing
    • Market Data
    • News
    • Nurse Contributor
    • Recruiter Advice
    • Strikes
    • Take A Break
    • Taxes
    • Top 10
    • Traveler Tips
    • Uncategorized
    • VMS/MSP
    • Weekly Polls
    • Your Photos
    • Your Stories

    More Stories

    ×

    Declining The Flu Shot: How It Impacts Travel Nurses

    By Alex McCoy, Contributing Writer, Owner of Fit Travel Life It is that time of year again. The time of year that medical...

    Travelers

    Restart-travel nursing career

    What I Would Change If I Could Reset My Travel Nursing Career

    March 21, 2019
    OR staffing needs-operating-room

    Travel Market: OR Staffing Needs Still High For Travel Nurses

    July 25, 2018

    10 Things to bring on your first travel assignment

    June 1, 2018

    Industry News

    Michigan-travel healthcare jobs nov 12

    Top 10 Highest-Paying Travel Healthcare Jobs Nov 14-18

    November 15, 2022
    Autumn-Thanksgiving-Fall-Pumpkins-travel healthcare jobs Nov 19

    Top 10 Highest-Paying Travel Healthcare Jobs Nov 21-25

    November 22, 2022
    Dingmans Falls-Pennsylvania-travel healthcare jobs nov

    Top 10 Highest-Paying Travel Healthcare Jobs Oct. 31-Nov. 4

    November 1, 2022

    Traveler Photos

    RN, Naomi B., shares photos of her adventures from Arizona and other parts of the U.S.
    RN, Naomi B., shares photos of her adventures from Arizona and other parts of the U.S.
    RN, Amanda M., taking in the sights at Antelope Canyon near Page, Ariz.
    ER RN, Gabi M., exploring Waterhole Canyon
    RN, Amanda M., taking in the sights at the Grand Canyon.
    RN, Amanda M., flying free on a zip line in Durango, Co.
    RN, Amanda M., taking in the sights at the Grand Canyon.
    RN, Amanda M., flexing for the camera in Durango, Co.
    RN, Amanda M., taking in the sights at Antelope Canyon near Page, Ariz.
    Copyright © 2021 StaffDNA. All Rights Reserved.

    Helpful news, travel tips, expert advice and online resources—delivered straight to your inbox once a week.

    “Get The Scoop” on the travel healthcare industry with HCT Today.

    Learn More

    Agency Review

      HCT Today wants to know what healthcare professionals think about their travel agencies. Below are 15 questions covering Recruiting and Accounting & Customer Service. This survey will take two minutes. You will either be asked a yes/no question or a scale with 0 being poor and 5 being excellent. All submissions will remain anonymous.







      Recruiting

      0 = Poor & 5 = Excellent



      YesNo


      YesNo


      YesNoN/A



      Accounting & Customer Service

      0 = Poor & 5 = Excellent




      Overall Agency Score





      Photo of The Month Contest



        By clicking submit you are agreeing to the Photo Contest Terms and Conditions.

        We Want To Hear From You

          We want to hear your stories, feedback, suggestions or tips! Have an insider tip on upcoming strikes or EMR conversions at your hospital? Let us know! Interested in contributing a story or sharing your experience to help other traveling professionals? We want to hear it!




          You may optionally provide contact information below. Including this information helps our team reach out should we need more information regarding your submission. This information will not be shared with third parties.


          NoYes






          Unless you have chosen to remain anonymous, by submitting this form you give Healthcare Traveler Today permission to contact you for details regarding your submission. You also give permission for HCT Today to share your information on HCTToday.com. We will never publish your contact information. For questions, email hcttoday@staffdna.com or call 469-429-6608

          Hospital Review


            Healthcare Traveler Today is collecting hospital reviews from nurses nationwide to get a better idea of what it's like working in specific facilities. We want to hear from you! Share your experience by completing the form below. All reviews remain anonymous.










            YesNo


            YesNo


            YesNo


            YesNo



            YesNo



            RNNOLPNCNAOther




            By submitting this form you give Healthcare Traveler Today permission to contact you for details regarding your submission. You also give Healthcare Traveler Today permission to share this information on the HCTToday.com site. For questions, email hcttoday@staffdna.com or call 469-429-6608.