Surgical Technologist Salary in Great Falls, MT: $65,376 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Great Falls, MT earns a median $65,376/year (≈ $31.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Great Falls's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.2), that paycheck buys what $67,958 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the Montana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Great Falls, Montana, the average surgical technologist salary is projected to reach $65,376 in 2026, reflecting both the demand for skilled professionals in the field and trends such as the rise of robotic surgery certification. The salary range for surgical technologists in the area is expected to extend from $44,586 at the P10 level to a peak of $100,743 at the P90 level. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, consider local cost-of-living adjustments, which is significant given the slightly below-average index of 96.2. Additionally, this competitive pay positioning is indicative of a stable job market for surgical technologists in Great Falls, which is vital for those pursuing or advancing their careers in surgical technology.
About the Great Falls Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,586 | $21.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,613 | $25.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,376 | $31.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,563 | $39.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,743 | $48.43 |
Median Salary Position
4.06% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Great Falls
In Great Falls, MT, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,157 (2026 est.). At $65,376, the local median is 4.06% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Great Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Great Falls Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Great Falls median: $65,376/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Great Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $65,573 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -4.06% less |
Surgical Technologists in Great Falls, MT earn a median of $65,376 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.06% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 0.30% below the Montana state average of $65,573.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Great Falls has a cost of living 3.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Great Falls, MT has a cost-of-living index of 96.2 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $65,376 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,958 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,450
2025 BLS Actual
$62,027
2026 Current Est.
$65,376
2019–2027 Growth
+51.6%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Great Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,450 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,610 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,390 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,151 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,728 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,027 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,376 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,907 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Great Falls metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 36.5% from $45,450 (2019) to $62,027 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,907 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,457 (51.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Great Falls 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) | $44,586 – $53,613 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,613 – $65,376 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,376 – $82,563 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,563 – $100,743 |
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 Great Falls
The local job market offers employment opportunities for 12 surgical technologists and presents a variety of settings, including hospital operating rooms and specialty surgical centers that can influence compensation significantly. The cost of living in Great Falls, being slightly lower than the national average, enhances the purchasing power for these professionals, allowing salaries to stretch further. Employers such as ambulatory surgery centers and military/VA surgical units tend to offer the highest pay, often factoring in the demand for specialized skills in areas like cardiovascular or neurosurgery. The pay variation hinges on several elements, including certifications in robotic surgery and roles like surgical first assistants, which can add a premium. To maximize earning potential, acquiring additional certifications and specializing in high-demand areas can be highly beneficial for surgical technologists in Great Falls, MT.
More salary data for Great Falls, 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 $62,027 for surgical technologistsin the Great Falls 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 Great Falls 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