Surgical Technologist Salary in Duluth, MN: $76,267 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Duluth, MN earns a median $76,267/year (≈ $36.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Duluth's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.8), that paycheck buys what $85,917 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.6% above the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For 2026, the surgical technologist salary in Duluth, Minnesota, is projected to reach a median of $76,267. This figure notably exceeds the national median of $68,141, highlighting a 11.93% premium for local professionals in this field. With salaries ranging from $64,905 at the 10th percentile to $88,346 at the 90th percentile, opportunities for competitive pay are apparent. These estimates originate from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data, projected forward for insights into the local job market. The increasing integration of robotic surgery certification within the field could further elevate salaries, reflecting the demand for specialized skills and competencies among surgical technologists in Duluth.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,905 | $31.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,828 | $33.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,267 | $36.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,549 | $39.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,346 | $42.48 |
Median Salary Position
11.93% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Duluth
In Duluth, MN, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,441 (2026 est.). At $76,267, the local median is 11.93% above the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Duluth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Duluth Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Duluth median: $76,267/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Duluth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $67,137 | +13.60% more |
| National Average | $68,141 | +11.93% more |
Surgical Technologists in Duluth, MN earn a median of $76,267 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.93% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 13.60% above the Minnesota state average of $67,137.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Duluth has a cost of living 11.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Duluth, MN has a cost-of-living index of 88.768 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $76,267 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $85,917 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.65% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,360
2025 BLS Actual
$72,360
2026 Current Est.
$76,267
2019–2027 Growth
+40.1%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Duluth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,750 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,360 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,267 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,386 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Duluth metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 26.2% from $57,360 (2019) to $72,360 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,386 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,026 (40.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Duluth 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) | $64,905 – $69,828 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,828 – $76,267 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,267 – $82,549 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,549 – $88,346 |
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 Duluth
Analyzing the local job market, there are currently 110 surgical technologists employed in Duluth, MN, contributing to a robust employment landscape despite variable pay rates. The area’s cost of living index stands at 88.768, offering a favorable economic environment that enhances purchasing power compared to national averages. Salary disparities often arise from factors such as specialization, with cardiovascular and neurosurgery positions typically commanding higher rates compared to orthopedics and general surgery. Employers like hospital operating rooms, specialty surgical centers, and travel surgical tech agencies tend to offer some of the highest pay. To maximize earnings in Duluth, surgical technologists should consider obtaining robotic surgery certification, seek out positions that include call coverage, and explore travel opportunities that generally offer attractive compensation packages. Establishing a solid foundation through a CAAHEP-accredited program and obtaining the CST credential from NBSTSA can pave the way for higher pay and career advancement in this competitive field.
More salary data for Duluth, MN:
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 $72,360 for surgical technologistsin the Duluth 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
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