Surg Tech Salary

Green Bay vs Wisconsin Rapids: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Green Bay, WI and Wisconsin Rapids, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Green Bay, WI
$77,068
$37.06/hr
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
$70,068
$33.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGreen Bay, WIWisconsin Rapids, WI
Median Salary$77,068$70,068
Hourly Rate$37.06$33.69
Entry Level (P10)$64,410$53,287
25th Percentile$66,539$59,245
75th Percentile$80,726$83,184
Top Earner (P90)$86,649$97,279
Total Employed2405
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Green Bay ($77,068) and Wisconsin Rapids ($70,068) surgical technologist salaries.Green BayWisconsin RapidsMedian Salary$77,068$70,068Entry Level (P10)$64,410$53,287Top Earner (P90)$86,649$97,279US Median $68,141

Verdict

Green Bay, WI offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Wisconsin Rapids.

The salary gap between Green Bay and Wisconsin Rapids is $7,000 (9.99%). Green Bay's median is +13.10% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Green Bay spans $22,239,Wisconsin Rapids spans $43,992. Wisconsin Rapids has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced surgical technologists.

Green Bay
P10 (Entry)$64,410
P25$66,539
Median$77,068
P75$80,726
P90 (Top)$86,649
Wisconsin Rapids
P10 (Entry)$53,287
P25$59,245
Median$70,068
P75$83,184
P90 (Top)$97,279

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Green Bay ($82,792 effective) pays 10.36% more than Wisconsin Rapids ($75,019 effective).

Green Bay
Nominal: $77,068
CoL Index: 93.086
Adjusted: $82,792
Wisconsin Rapids
Nominal: $70,068
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $75,019

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Green Bay if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,068/year)
  • Larger job market (240 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $82,792)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Wisconsin Rapids if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($97,279)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Green Bay grew 43.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 33.8% growth in Wisconsin Rapids over the same period.

Green Bay, WI

+43.8%

$50,850 (2019) → $73,120 (2025)

Wisconsin Rapids, WI

+33.8%

$49,669 (2024) → $66,478 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Green Bay or Wisconsin Rapids?

Green Bay has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $77,068/year, compared to Wisconsin Rapids at $70,068/year — a difference of $7,000 (9.99%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Green Bay and Wisconsin Rapids?

Green Bay surgical technologists earn $37.06/hr while Wisconsin Rapids hygienists earn $33.69/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Green Bay to Wisconsin Rapids as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Green Bay and Wisconsin Rapids. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Green Bay = $82,792, Wisconsin Rapids = $75,019), job availability (240 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Green Bay vs Wisconsin Rapids?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $64,410 in Green Bay and $53,287 in Wisconsin Rapids. The Green Bay area offers higher starting salaries.
JT

Written by Jessica Thompson, BA, CST

Career Analyst

Jessica has over 10 years of experience as a surgical technologist. She specializes in orthopedic surgical procedures. Jessica works at a community hospital.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Ramirez, AAS, CSTData verified by Fatima Ali, BS, CST

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.40% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jessica Thompson, BA, CST, a licensed surgical technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov