Surgical Technologist Salary in Michigan: $67,853 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Michigan's 52 metropolitan areas, the average median surgical technologist pay sits at $67,853/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2055. Because Michigan sits at BEA RPP 93.2 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $72,804 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Kalamazoo ($66,270), Detroit ($65,810), Dearborn ($65,470).
In Michigan, surgical technologist salaries are projected to be slightly below the national average, with an average median salary of $67,853 compared to the national median of $68,141, reflecting a -0.4% difference. The salary range among cities demonstrates significant variability, with the highest paying city, Kalamazoo, offering $69,849, while Saginaw has the lowest average at $57,411, resulting in a $12,438 gap. This difference can be attributed to factors such as local demand for healthcare services, cost of living variations, and the presence of healthcare facilities. Michigan's licensure requirements and scope of practice laws also shape career paths for surgical technologists. Currently, the state does not require formal licensure but emphasizes certification, influencing job prospects. The surgical technologist workforce in Michigan is projected to grow at a rate of 5.40% annually, driven by an increasing demand for surgical services and an aging population. Major metropolitan areas, including Detroit ($69,364) and Dearborn ($69,005), also reflect strong salary offerings. As the demand for surgical procedures continues to rise, opportunities for surgical technologists are expected to expand across the state, making it a viable career option in Michigan.
Michigan Surgical Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Michigan: $38,323 (lowest entry-level) to $106,514 (highest top earner)
Michigan vs National Average
Michigan surgical technologists earn 0.42% less than the national median ($-288/year difference).
Michigan Surgical Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Surgical Technologist salaries in Michigan range from $46,219 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $89,071 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $67,853. The Michigan median is $288 below the US national median of $68,141. The average hourly rate is $32.62/hr. Approximately 3,396 surgical technologists are employed across 52 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$44,591
2025 BLS Actual
$64,377
2026 Current Est.
$67,853
2019–2027 Growth
+60.4%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Michigan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,591 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,158 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,615 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,654 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,169 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,377 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,853 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,517 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Michigan metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 44.4% from $44,591 (2019) to $64,377 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,517 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,926 (60.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Michigan 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Michigan
Lowest Paying Cities in Michigan
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Saginaw | $57,411 |
| Romulus | $61,709 |
| Ypsilanti | $62,065 |
| Mount Pleasant | $62,246 |
| Ferndale | $63,324 |
Best Value Cities for Surgical Technologists in Michigan
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Michigan cities offer the most purchasing power for surgical technologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dearborn | $69,005 | 93.2 | $74,040 |
| Clinton Township | $68,995 | 93.2 | $74,029 |
| Warren | $68,762 | 93.2 | $73,779 |
| Kalamazoo | $69,849 | 94.84 | $73,649 |
| Ann Arbor | $68,363 | 93.2 | $73,351 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Michigan
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $46,219 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $67,853 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $89,071 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Michigan metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 52 Cities in Michigan
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kalamazoo | $69,849 |
| 2 | Detroit | $69,364 |
| 3 | Dearborn | $69,005 |
| 4 | Clinton Township | $68,995 |
| 5 | Warren | $68,762 |
| 6 | Ann Arbor | $68,363 |
| 7 | Sterling Heights | $68,126 |
| 8 | Portage | $68,102 |
| 9 | Wyoming | $67,948 |
| 10 | Battle Creek | $67,543 |
| 11 | West Bloomfield | $67,438 |
| 12 | Shelby Township | $67,285 |
| 13 | Troy | $67,142 |
| 14 | Grand Rapids | $67,119 |
| 15 | Westland | $66,968 |
| 16 | Farmington Hills | $66,825 |
| 17 | Lansing | $66,729 |
| 18 | Dearborn Heights | $66,677 |
| 19 | Traverse City | $66,644 |
| 20 | Southfield | $66,551 |
| 21 | Macomb Township | $66,407 |
| 22 | St. Clair Shores | $66,333 |
| 23 | Rochester Hills | $66,297 |
| 24 | Bay City | $66,242 |
| 25 | East Lansing | $66,166 |
| 26 | Taylor | $66,112 |
| 27 | Kentwood | $65,930 |
| 28 | Port Huron | $65,926 |
| 29 | Royal Oak | $65,911 |
| 30 | Lincoln Park | $65,863 |
| 31 | Jackson | $65,806 |
| 32 | Livonia | $65,732 |
| 33 | Canton | $65,239 |
| 34 | Novi | $65,218 |
| 35 | Auburn Hills | $65,154 |
| 36 | Waterford | $65,118 |
| 37 | Muskegon | $65,035 |
| 38 | Roseville | $64,999 |
| 39 | Garden City | $64,869 |
| 40 | Allen Park | $64,481 |
| 41 | Pontiac | $64,436 |
| 42 | Flint | $64,378 |
| 43 | Marquette | $64,268 |
| 44 | Norton Shores | $64,253 |
| 45 | Inkster | $64,168 |
| 46 | Midland | $63,792 |
| 47 | Holland | $63,766 |
| 48 | Ferndale | $63,324 |
| 49 | Mount Pleasant | $62,246 |
| 50 | Ypsilanti | $62,065 |
| 51 | Romulus | $61,709 |
| 52 | Saginaw | $57,411 |
More Michigan Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore surgical technologist hourly pay in Michigan cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced surgical technologists.
Compare Cities in Michigan
View all comparisons →Explore More Surgical Technologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Michigan in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for surgical technologists in Michigan?
How does Michigan surgical technologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level surgical technologist salary in Michigan?
How many surgical technologists are employed in Michigan?
Which Michigan city offers the best value for surgical technologists?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.40% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 surgical technologist compensation across Michigan. State averages are employment-weighted across 52 metro areas — larger metro areas with more surgical technologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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