Surgical Technologist Salary in Minnesota: $80,931 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Minnesota's 44 metropolitan areas, the average median surgical technologist pay sits at $80,931/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2055. Because Minnesota sits at BEA RPP 98.5 (1% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $82,163 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Minneapolis ($82,000), St. Paul ($81,177), Bloomington ($80,547).
In 2026, surgical technologists in Minnesota are expected to earn an average median salary of $80,931, which is significantly higher than the national median of $68,141, representing an increase of 18.8%. The highest paying city in the state is Minneapolis, where salaries are projected to reach $86,428, while Faribault offers the lowest at $63,402. This salary disparity can be attributed to several factors, including the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and local hospital funding in metropolitan versus rural areas. In Minnesota, surgical technologists must adhere to specific state licensing requirements and regulations surrounding their scope of practice, which can impact job responsibilities and, consequently, salaries. The state experiences a growing demand for surgical technologists, driven by a projected annual growth rate of 5.40%, indicating a healthy job market outlook. The top five cities for this profession are Minneapolis ($86,428), St. Paul ($85,561), Bloomington ($84,897), Rochester ($82,286), and Duluth ($76,267). Collectively, Minnesota is home to approximately 1,900 surgical technologists, reflecting a stable employment landscape in the healthcare sector.
Minnesota Surgical Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Minnesota: $44,506 (lowest entry-level) to $132,618 (highest top earner)
Minnesota vs National Average
Minnesota surgical technologists earn 18.77% more than the national median (+$12,790/year difference).
Minnesota Surgical Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Surgical Technologist salaries in Minnesota range from $67,613 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $102,033 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $80,931. The Minnesota median is $12,790 above the US national median of $68,141. The average hourly rate is $38.91/hr. Approximately 1,900 surgical technologists are employed across 44 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$61,032
2025 BLS Actual
$76,785
2026 Current Est.
$80,931
2019–2027 Growth
+39.8%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Minnesota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,032 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,462 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,141 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,274 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,691 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,373 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,785 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,931 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,302 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Minnesota metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 25.8% from $61,032 (2019) to $76,785 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,302 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,270 (39.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minnesota 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 Minnesota
Lowest Paying Cities in Minnesota
Best Value Cities for Surgical Technologists in Minnesota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Minnesota cities offer the most purchasing power for surgical technologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester | $82,286 | 90.821 | $90,602 |
| St. Paul | $85,561 | 98.5 | $86,864 |
| Bloomington | $84,897 | 98.5 | $86,190 |
| Duluth | $76,267 | 88.768 | $85,917 |
| St. Cloud | $73,011 | 87.632 | $83,315 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Minnesota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $67,613 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $80,931 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $102,033 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Minnesota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 44 Cities in Minnesota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis | $86,428 |
| 2 | St. Paul | $85,561 |
| 3 | Bloomington | $84,897 |
| 4 | Rochester | $82,286 |
| 5 | Duluth | $76,267 |
| 6 | St. Cloud | $73,011 |
| 7 | Maple Grove | $68,029 |
| 8 | Woodbury | $68,002 |
| 9 | Eden Prairie | $67,939 |
| 10 | Owatonna | $66,629 |
| 11 | Brooklyn Park | $66,540 |
| 12 | Plymouth | $66,424 |
| 13 | Roseville | $66,384 |
| 14 | Chaska | $66,331 |
| 15 | Minnetonka | $66,318 |
| 16 | Cottage Grove | $66,243 |
| 17 | Burnsville | $66,190 |
| 18 | Lakeville | $65,946 |
| 19 | Chanhassen | $65,899 |
| 20 | Inver Grove Heights | $65,795 |
| 21 | Eagan | $65,785 |
| 22 | Brooklyn Center | $65,770 |
| 23 | Elk River | $65,759 |
| 24 | Prior Lake | $65,692 |
| 25 | Ramsey | $65,451 |
| 26 | Blaine | $65,174 |
| 27 | Apple Valley | $65,073 |
| 28 | Shakopee | $65,009 |
| 29 | Coon Rapids | $64,999 |
| 30 | Savage | $64,894 |
| 31 | Edina | $64,887 |
| 32 | Maplewood | $64,697 |
| 33 | Andover | $64,681 |
| 34 | Richfield | $64,649 |
| 35 | St. Louis Park | $64,644 |
| 36 | Moorhead | $64,550 |
| 37 | Mankato | $64,534 |
| 38 | Northfield | $64,083 |
| 39 | Hastings | $63,947 |
| 40 | Fridley | $63,659 |
| 41 | Winona | $63,608 |
| 42 | Shoreview | $63,581 |
| 43 | Austin | $63,482 |
| 44 | Faribault | $63,402 |
More Minnesota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore surgical technologist hourly pay in Minnesota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced surgical technologists.
Compare Cities in Minnesota
View all comparisons →Explore More Surgical Technologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Minnesota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for surgical technologists in Minnesota?
How does Minnesota surgical technologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level surgical technologist salary in Minnesota?
How many surgical technologists are employed in Minnesota?
Which Minnesota 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 Minnesota. State averages are employment-weighted across 44 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