Surgical Technologist Salary in West Fargo, ND: $61,609 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in West Fargo, ND earns a median $61,609/year (≈ $29.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in West Fargo's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $66,966 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, surgical technologists in West Fargo, North Dakota, can expect a median annual salary of $61,609. This figure places local compensation below the national median of $68,141, providing a salary range from $44,097 at the 10th percentile to $92,588 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and applicable regional price adjustments, reflect the compensation dynamics shaped by the prevalent healthcare structures. Given the local employment landscape includes hospital operating rooms, ambulatory surgical centers, and specialty surgical centers, aspiring surgical technologists may find that their choice of employment sector significantly impacts their overall earnings potential in West Fargo.
About the West Fargo Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,097 | $21.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,731 | $24.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,609 | $29.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,432 | $35.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,588 | $44.51 |
Median Salary Position
9.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in West Fargo
In West Fargo, ND, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,491 (2026 est.). At $61,609, the local median is 9.59% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in West Fargo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How West Fargo Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
West Fargo median: $61,609/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | West Fargo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $62,675 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -9.59% less |
Surgical Technologists in West Fargo, ND earn a median of $61,609 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.59% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 1.70% below the North Dakota state average of $62,675.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
West Fargo has a cost of living 8.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
West Fargo, ND has a cost-of-living index of 92 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $61,609 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,966 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.7% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,670
2025 BLS Actual
$58,453
2026 Current Est.
$61,609
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in West Fargo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,670 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,945 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,878 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,596 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,800 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,453 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,609 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,936 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the West Fargo metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $43,670 (2019) to $58,453 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,936 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,266 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the West Fargo 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) | $44,097 – $51,731 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,731 – $61,609 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,609 – $73,432 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,432 – $92,588 |
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 West Fargo
The local job market employs 10 surgical technologists, which suggests a competitive but limited environment for job seekers. The cost-of-living index in West Fargo stands at 92, indicating that residents can stretch their earnings further compared to the national average. Among local employers, hospital operating rooms tend to offer the highest pay, while specialty centers focusing on orthopedic and cardiothoracic surgery may provide additional specialty pay bonuses, especially for certified robotic surgery technicians. The differences in pay can be extensive, driven by factors such as certification in advanced surgical techniques, availability for call coverage, and the complexity of cases handled. To maximize earning potential in West Fargo, surgical technologists can benefit from enhancing their certifications, seeking out specialty training, and exploring roles that involve higher levels of responsibility, such as surgical first assistant positions or working in trauma centers.
More salary data for West Fargo, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can surgical technologists make $100K in West Fargo?
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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 $58,453 for surgical technologistsin the West Fargo 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 West Fargo 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