Surgical Technologist Salary in Bozeman, MT: $69,142 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Bozeman, MT earns a median $69,142/year (≈ $33.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Bozeman's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.5), that paycheck buys what $67,449 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% above the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bozeman, Montana, surgical technologists are projected to earn a median annual salary of $69,142 in 2026, slightly surpassing the national median of $68,141. The salary range in this thriving market spans from $42,424 at the lower end (P10) to $106,328 at the upper end (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, suggest a significant opportunity for those entering the field, particularly in specialties like cardiovascular and neurosurgery, where surgical technologists can command higher salaries due to their advanced skill sets. The growing demand for these specialists illustrates Bozeman's strengthening job market, which is well-aligned with the evolving healthcare landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,424 | $20.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,964 | $25.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,142 | $33.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,929 | $39.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,328 | $51.12 |
Median Salary Position
1.47% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bozeman
In Bozeman, MT, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,904 (2026 est.). At $69,142, the local median is 1.47% above the national median of $68,141.
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At 40 hours/week in Bozeman: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bozeman Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Bozeman median: $69,142/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bozeman Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $65,538 | +5.50% more |
| National Average | $68,141 | +1.47% more |
Surgical Technologists in Bozeman, MT earn a median of $69,142 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.47% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 5.50% above the Montana state average of $65,538.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bozeman has a cost of living 2.51% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bozeman, MT has a cost-of-living index of 102.51 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $69,142 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $67,449 — a 2.45% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,010
2025 BLS Actual
$65,600
2026 Current Est.
$69,142
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Bozeman (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,010 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,243 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,782 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,501 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,330 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,600 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,142 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,876 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bozeman metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $49,010 (2019) to $65,600 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,876 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,866 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bozeman 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) | $42,424 – $52,964 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,964 – $69,142 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,142 – $82,929 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,929 – $106,328 |
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 Bozeman
With around 50 surgical technologists employed in Bozeman, the local job market exhibits a robust demand for skilled practitioners. However, the cost of living index sits at 102.51, which is slightly above the national average, impacting the purchasing power of residents. Among the highest-paying employers are specialty surgical centers focusing on orthopedic and cardiothoracic procedures, along with hospital operating rooms and travel surgical tech agencies that offer premium rates. Factors contributing to pay disparities include specialization, call coverage, and additional certifications such as robotic surgery credentials or roles as surgical first assistants. To maximize earnings in Bozeman’s unique market, surgical technologists should focus on developing specialty skills, obtain certifications like CSFA, and consider opportunities in high-demand areas, ensuring they stay competitive in a growing field.
More salary data for Bozeman, MT:
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 $65,600 for surgical technologistsin the Bozeman 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, 2-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