Surgical Technologist Salary in Gardner, KS: $57,439 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Gardner, KS earns a median $57,439/year (≈ $27.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Gardner's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $63,189 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gardner, Kansas, the surgical technologist salary is projected to reach a median annual figure of $57,439 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $68,141. The local salary range spans from $44,770 at the 10th percentile to $82,916 for the 90th percentile, reflecting the various factors influencing compensation. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living variances, indicate a market where specialized roles, particularly in cardiovascular and neurosurgery, can command premium pay. Gardner's local job market for surgical technologists demonstrates steady demand, supported by the presence of surgical facilities and a focus on specialty care.
About the Gardner Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,770 | $21.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,654 | $24.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,439 | $27.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,153 | $33.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,916 | $39.86 |
Median Salary Position
15.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gardner
In Gardner, KS, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,146 (2026 est.). At $57,439, the local median is 15.71% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gardner: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gardner Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Gardner median: $57,439/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gardner Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $61,962 | -7.30% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -15.71% less |
Surgical Technologists in Gardner, KS earn a median of $57,439 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.71% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 7.30% below the Kansas state average of $61,962.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gardner 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.
Gardner, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $57,439 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,189 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,714
2025 BLS Actual
$54,496
2026 Current Est.
$57,439
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Gardner (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,714 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,902 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,908 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,171 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,091 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,833 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,496 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,439 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,540 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gardner metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $40,714 (2019) to $54,496 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,540 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,826 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gardner 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) | $44,770 – $50,654 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,654 – $57,439 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,439 – $70,153 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,153 – $82,916 |
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 Gardner
With only six surgical technologists currently employed in Gardner, KS, the job market offers limited opportunities that can shape average earnings. The cost-of-living index for the area is relatively low at 90.9, which positively impacts the purchasing power of salaries. Employers such as hospital operating rooms and specialty surgical centers, particularly those focused on orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, tend to offer the highest wages. Factors such as specialty certifications, on-call coverage, and experience with robotic surgery systems notably influence earnings, allowing some professionals to elevate their pay significantly. To maximize compensation, surgical technologists in Gardner could pursue advanced certifications—especially in robotic surgery or as a surgical first assistant—and consider roles with travel surgical tech agencies, which often provide higher rates for short-term assignments in facilities with upgraded trauma capabilities.
More salary data for Gardner, KS:
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
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 $54,496 for surgical technologistsin the Gardner 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 Gardner 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