Surgical Technologist Salary in Sioux Falls, SD: $56,758 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Sioux Falls, SD earns a median $56,758/year (≈ $27.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Sioux Falls's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.6), that paycheck buys what $62,625 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.2% below the South Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sioux Falls, South Dakota, surgical technologists can expect to earn a median salary of $56,758 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national average of $68,141. The salary spectrum varies significantly, with earnings ranging from $40,526 at the lower end (P10) to $74,286 at the upper end (P90). This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflects the local market where specialized roles, particularly in cardiovascular and neuro surgery, command higher premiums. Given the surgical landscape in Sioux Falls, professionals achieving this level of specialization can maximize their earning potential while significantly impacting patient outcomes in critical care settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,526 | $19.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,513 | $26.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,758 | $27.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,351 | $32.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,286 | $35.72 |
Median Salary Position
16.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sioux Falls
In Sioux Falls, SD, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,760 (2026 est.). At $56,758, the local median is 16.71% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sioux Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sioux Falls Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Sioux Falls median: $56,758/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sioux Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $63,205 | -10.20% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -16.71% less |
Surgical Technologists in Sioux Falls, SD earn a median of $56,758 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.71% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 10.20% below the South Dakota state average of $63,205.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sioux Falls has a cost of living 9.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sioux Falls, SD has a cost-of-living index of 90.631 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $56,758 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,625 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.34% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,490
2025 BLS Actual
$53,850
2026 Current Est.
$56,758
2019–2027 Growth
+40.8%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Sioux Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,490 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,950 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,770 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,830 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,860 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,850 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,758 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,823 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sioux Falls metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 26.7% from $42,490 (2019) to $53,850 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,823 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,333 (40.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux 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) | $40,526 – $54,513 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,513 – $56,758 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,758 – $67,351 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,351 – $74,286 |
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 Sioux Falls
With approximately 310 surgical technologists employed in Sioux Falls, the local job market is relatively robust. However, a cost-of-living index of 90.631 indicates that while salaries may be below the national average, residents enjoy an affordable lifestyle. Among the various healthcare facilities, specialty surgical centers, particularly those focused on orthopedic or cardiothoracic procedures, typically offer the highest pay. Factors that contribute to the pay variance include specialty certifications such as robotic surgery and the role of surgical first assistants, which can significantly influence earnings. To enhance their salary prospects in Sioux Falls, surgical technologists should consider obtaining additional certifications, seeking roles in high-demand specialties, and exploring opportunities in travel surgical tech positions that often pay a premium for flexibility and experience.
More salary data for Sioux Falls, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can surgical technologists make $100K in Sioux Falls?
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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 $53,850 for surgical technologistsin the Sioux 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
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