Surgical Technologist Salary in Pontiac, MI: $64,436 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Pontiac, MI earns a median $64,436/year (≈ $30.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Pontiac's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $69,137 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pontiac, Michigan, the projected median annual surgical technologist salary is $64,436 in 2026, which reflects a slight decline compared to the national median of $68,141. Surgical technologists can expect to earn within a range from $46,064 at the lower end (P10) to $95,171 at the high end (P90), providing a valuable opportunity for career advancement. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors. The local job market includes a variety of surgical settings, such as hospital operating rooms and specialty surgical centers, which influence compensation levels. As the healthcare infrastructure continues to evolve in Pontiac, the demand for well-trained surgical technologists remains strong.
About the Pontiac Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,064 | $22.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,234 | $26.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,436 | $30.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,901 | $37.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,171 | $45.75 |
Median Salary Position
5.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pontiac
In Pontiac, MI, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,107 (2026 est.). At $64,436, the local median is 5.44% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pontiac: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pontiac Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Pontiac median: $64,436/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pontiac Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $66,704 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -5.44% less |
Surgical Technologists in Pontiac, MI earn a median of $64,436 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.44% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 3.40% below the Michigan state average of $66,704.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pontiac 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.
Pontiac, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $64,436 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,137 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$45,674
2025 BLS Actual
$61,135
2026 Current Est.
$64,436
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Pontiac (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,674 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,007 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,891 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,917 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,315 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,399 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,135 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,436 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,916 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pontiac metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $45,674 (2019) to $61,135 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,916 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,242 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pontiac 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) | $46,064 – $54,234 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,234 – $64,436 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,436 – $78,901 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,901 – $95,171 |
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 Pontiac
In terms of local employment dynamics, there are currently 12 surgical technologists working in Pontiac, MI, which indicates a concentrated niche in the job market. The cost of living index in the area stands at 93.2, suggesting that salaries may stretch further in terms of purchasing power compared to other regions. Among the various employers, hospitals generally offer better pay, particularly for specialties like cardiovascular or neuro surgery, which tend to command higher compensation due to the complexity of procedures involved. Additional factors influencing the salary range include call coverage, certification in robotic surgery, and roles such as surgical first assistants. To effectively maximize earnings in Pontiac, pursuing specialized certifications and focusing on high-demand surgical specialties can prove beneficial for aspiring professionals in this field.
More salary data for Pontiac, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Pontiac, MI in 2026?
Is Pontiac, MI a good place to work as a surgical technologist?
Can surgical technologists make $100K in Pontiac?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted surgical technologist salary in Pontiac?
How much does a surgical technologist make per hour in Pontiac?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Michigan
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 $61,135 for surgical technologistsin the Pontiac 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 Pontiac 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