Surgical Technologist Salary in Dodge City, KS: $58,599 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Dodge City, KS earns a median $58,599/year (≈ $28.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Dodge City's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $64,465 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Surgical technologists in Dodge City, Kansas, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $58,599 in 2026, reflecting the city's unique healthcare structure, which includes hospitals and specialized surgical centers. The salary for this occupation falls within a range from $43,179 at the 10th percentile to $83,944 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price levels, suggest a competitive, though slightly lower compensation relative to the national average of $68,141 for the same year. This variance highlights the importance of understanding local employment dynamics, especially as the area consists of only five surgical technologists employed within its healthcare facilities.
About the Dodge City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,179 | $20.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,072 | $24.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,599 | $28.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,664 | $33.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,944 | $40.36 |
Median Salary Position
14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dodge City
In Dodge City, KS, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,765 (2026 est.). At $58,599, the local median is 14% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dodge City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dodge City Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Dodge City median: $58,599/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dodge City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $61,944 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -14.00% less |
Surgical Technologists in Dodge City, KS earn a median of $58,599 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.00% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 5.40% below the Kansas state average of $61,944.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dodge City has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dodge City, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $58,599 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,465 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,537
2025 BLS Actual
$55,597
2026 Current Est.
$58,599
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Dodge City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,537 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,749 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,734 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,124 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,123 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,718 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,597 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,599 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,764 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dodge City metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.8% from $41,537 (2019) to $55,597 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,764 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,227 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dodge City 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $43,179 – $50,072 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,072 – $58,599 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,599 – $70,664 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,664 – $83,944 |
Surg Tech, CST salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual surgical technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Surgical Technologist Job Market in Dodge City
The job market for surgical technologists in Dodge City indicates both opportunity and considerations related to cost of living, with a cost-of-living index at 90.9 suggesting prices below the national average. While the market is modest, the highest pay typically comes from specialties where specific skills are in demand, such as orthopedic and cardiothoracic surgery, along with travel surgical positions that may offer higher pay rates. Factors driving the differences in pay within the region include the level of certification, such as robotic surgery training and the role of surgical first assistants. To maximize earnings potential in this area, surgical technologists should seek additional certifications and various specialty roles, as demand for highly qualified professionals remains stable amid ongoing growth projected at 5.40% annually over the next several years in the field.
More salary data for Dodge City, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can surgical technologists make $100K in Dodge City?
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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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $55,597 for surgical technologistsin the Dodge City metropolitan area. A 5.40% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Dodge City 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