Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay in River Falls, WI: $34.62 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a surgical technologist working in River Falls, WI runs $34.62 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $72,010 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Weighted against River Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,211 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In River Falls, Wisconsin, surgical technologists earn a median hourly pay of $34.62, which is notably higher than the national median of $32.76. This competitive rate makes surgical technologist positions quite appealing, especially for part-time workers who might choose to work three days a week. For these professionals, the financial benefits extend beyond the base hourly rate; typical environments such as hospital operating rooms and ambulatory surgery centers offer significant opportunities. Hourly earnings range from $24.98 at entry-level positions to as much as $49.82 for those at the top of the pay scale. These figures provide a clear insight into the potential for various compensations, derived from annual salary projections.
About the River Falls Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.98 | $199.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.43 | $243.43 |
| Median (P50) | $34.62 | $276.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.19 | $337.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.82 | $398.58 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in River Falls
Based on $34.62/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.62/hr, a surgical technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in River Falls, WI can expect to earn approximately $72,018 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,549. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in River Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in River Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,384.96 | $6,001 | $72,018 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $830.97 | $3,601 | $43,211 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $553.98 | $2,401 | $28,807 |
Compare Surg Tech, CST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Surgical Technologist (River Falls) | $34.62 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.36 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
| Radiologic Technologist (National Avg) | $36.78 |
Surgical Technologists in River Falls, WI earn a median of $72,010 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.68% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 5.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $76,444.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.62/hr = $43,211/year (purchasing power: $46,264).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $72,018/year (purchasing power: $77,107).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.62/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in River Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.66/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.62/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.49/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for surgical technologists in River Falls grew 33.9% from $24.54/hr (2019) to $32.85/hr (2025). At a 5.40% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.49/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem surgical technologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the River Falls 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.
Working as an Hourly Surgical Technologist in River Falls
Analyzing the earning potential of surgical technologists in River Falls reveals noteworthy differences between full-time and part-time work. A surgical technologist working part-time at 24 hours a week could expect to take home around $43,000 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts, who earn higher total compensation due to more hours worked. Options for per-diem surgical technologists are particularly lucrative, with billing rates often between $35 and $55 per hour, and those in specialized fields like cardiovascular surgery can demand up to $75 per hour. Hourly rates may vary depending on the employer, with hospitals and specialty surgical centers generally offering competitive pay. However, some surgical technologists willingly accept lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, a crucial consideration for many in the field. Negotiation can significantly impact pay, so it’s advisable for River Falls surgical technologists to understand their worth and the market before entering discussions.
More salary data for River Falls, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.40% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for surgical technologists in River Falls. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for River Falls is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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