Entry-Level Surgical Technologist Salary in Sheboygan, WI: $64,726 (2026)
Quick Answer:New surgical technologists entering the Sheboygan, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $64,726 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2055, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Sheboygan's local price level (BEA RPP 94.0 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $68,847 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($68,584) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
With starting salaries projected at approximately $64,726 for entry-level surgical technologists in Sheboygan, aspiring professionals should set realistic goals as they transition from training to employment. This entry-level pay is slightly below the city median salary of $68,584, suggesting that new graduates may initially face some financial constraints. However, there is ample potential for growth; within the first few years, salary expectations can rise as a surgical technologist gains experience and potentially qualifies for higher pay brackets. Given the city's robust healthcare sector, particularly within hospitals and outpatient care facilities, Sheboygan presents a favorable market for new graduates eager to kickstart their careers in surgical technology.
Career Earnings Timeline in Sheboygan
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sheboygan
Entry-level surgical technologists in Sheboygan, WI typically start between $64,726 and $68,584 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $17,676 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $68,584 — 0.65% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average surgical services program cost in Wisconsin of $10,000 represents just 15.45% of the starting surgical technologist pay ($64,726/year) in Sheboygan. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAAHEP/ARC-STSA-accredited surgical technology program data and community college tuition reports. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary by institution type (community college vs. private vocational) and program length.
Surg Tech, CST Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Sheboygan
- 1Research the Sheboygan market: entry-level surgical technologist pay ranges from $64,726 to $68,584, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the surgical services field — employers in WI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Sheboygan, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Sheboygan for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Sheboygan's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Surgical Technologist Compensation Range
The surgical technologist wage spread in Sheboygan is $17,676 ( 27.31%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $64,726, experienced hygienists can earn up to $82,402.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$44,674
2025 BLS Actual
$61,410
2026 Current Est.
$64,726
2019–2027 Growth
+52.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Sheboygan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,674 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,610 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,366 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,946 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,325 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,410 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,726 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,221 | Projected |
Entry-level surgical technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Sheboygan, WI grew 37.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $44,674 in 2019 to $61,410 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $68,221. New graduates entering the Sheboygan job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sheboygan metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.40% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your surgical services Career in Sheboygan
In Sheboygan, employers seeking entry-level surgical technologists primarily include local hospitals that typically hire graduates for general specialty rotations. Ambulatory surgery centers are also attractive options for new hires due to their no-call lifestyle, making them particularly appealing to those looking for a balanced work-life dynamic. To enhance starting pay in this competitive market, holding a diploma or associate's degree from a CAAHEP-accredited program and obtaining the CST certification from NBSTSA are essential qualities sought by employers. While specialized roles such as cardiovascular and neurosurgery surgical technologists command higher salaries, the growing demand for robotic surgery skills may offer further incentive for ongoing education and training. New graduates can expect steady salary increases within their first few years as they achieve the required credentials and accumulate experience, making this an opportune time to enter the field in Sheboygan, WI.
More salary data for Sheboygan, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new surgical services graduates. A 5.40% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Sheboygan. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.40%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for surgical technologists (SOC 29-2055).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Thompson, BA, CST, a licensed surgical technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov