Surgical Technologist Salary in Garden City, MI: $64,869 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Garden City, MI earns a median $64,869/year (≈ $31.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Garden City's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $69,602 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, surgical technologists in Garden City, Michigan can expect a median annual salary of $64,869, which slightly trails the national average of $68,141. Their earnings vary significantly, with a salary range from $45,260 at the low end to $96,142 at the high end, indicating diverse opportunities depending on specialization and experience. These figures are local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost-of-living factors. In Garden City, the choice of employment settings—whether hospital operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, or specialty surgical centers—can substantially influence compensation. Those who navigate the nuances of these environments and enhance their skill sets will find the best potential for pay growth in the local surgical technologist job market.
About the Garden City Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,260 | $21.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,559 | $27.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,869 | $31.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,330 | $38.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,142 | $46.22 |
Median Salary Position
4.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Garden City
In Garden City, MI, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,882 (2026 est.). At $64,869, the local median is 4.8% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Garden City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Garden City Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Garden City median: $64,869/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Garden City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $66,738 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -4.80% less |
Surgical Technologists in Garden City, MI earn a median of $64,869 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.80% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 2.80% below the Michigan state average of $66,738.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Garden City has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Garden City, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $64,869 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,602 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,981
2025 BLS Actual
$61,546
2026 Current Est.
$64,869
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Garden City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,981 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,323 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,200 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,273 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,738 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,546 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,869 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,372 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Garden City metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $45,981 (2019) to $61,546 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,372 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,391 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Garden 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) | $45,260 – $57,559 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,559 – $64,869 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,869 – $80,330 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,330 – $96,142 |
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 Garden City
The job market for surgical technologists in Garden City is relatively small, with only four professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index of 93.2 suggests that expenses are below the national average, which may enhance purchasing power for local techs. Employers such as hospital operating rooms typically offer better pay compared to ambulatory surgical centers or specialty practices, especially in high-demand fields like cardiovascular or neurosurgery. The significant pay spread can be attributed to various factors, including specialty qualifications, call coverage requirements, and travel surgical tech opportunities. To maximize earnings, local surgical technologists are encouraged to seek certifications in robotic surgery or pursue roles as surgical first assistants, as these credentials are becoming increasingly valuable in the field.
More salary data for Garden City, MI:
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 $61,546 for surgical technologistsin the Garden 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 Garden 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