Surgical Technologist Salary in Appleton, WI: $70,850 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Appleton, WI earns a median $70,850/year (≈ $34.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Appleton's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.4), that paycheck buys what $76,662 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For surgical technologists specializing in cardiovascular or neurosurgery in Appleton, WI, the 2026 median annual salary is set at $70,850, presenting a favorable outlook compared to the national median of $68,141. This competitive pay range stretches from $59,983 at the 10th percentile to $85,743 at the 90th percentile, according to projections derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data. The flourishing healthcare environment in Appleton creates significant opportunities for those who excel in these subspecialties, further enhancing the earning potential as employers seek skilled professionals to meet increased demand.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,983 | $28.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,265 | $31.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,850 | $34.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,042 | $38.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,743 | $41.22 |
Median Salary Position
3.98% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Appleton
In Appleton, WI, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,760 (2026 est.). At $70,850, the local median is 3.98% above the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Appleton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Appleton Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Appleton median: $70,850/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Appleton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $76,429 | -7.30% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | +3.98% more |
Surgical Technologists in Appleton, WI earn a median of $70,850 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.98% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 7.30% below the Wisconsin state average of $76,429.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Appleton has a cost of living 7.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Appleton, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.419 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $70,850 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $76,662 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.2% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,110
2025 BLS Actual
$67,220
2026 Current Est.
$70,850
2019–2027 Growth
+40.6%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Appleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,110 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,510 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,920 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,400 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,220 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,850 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,676 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Appleton metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 26.6% from $53,110 (2019) to $67,220 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,676 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,566 (40.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Appleton 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) | $59,983 – $66,265 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,265 – $70,850 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,850 – $81,042 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,042 – $85,743 |
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 Appleton
With approximately 100 surgical technologists currently employed in Appleton, the local job market demonstrates stability in the face of evolving healthcare needs. The cost-of-living index stands at 92.419, indicating that wage structures may be optimized for greater purchasing power. Employers like hospital operating rooms and specialty surgical centers often provide the highest compensation packages, especially for those with extensive expertise in high-demand areas such as trauma or robotic surgeries. Compensation disparities arise primarily from factors like specialty certifications and call coverage responsibilities. To maximize pay, surgical technologists in Appleton should consider pursuing advanced certifications, such as robotic surgery training, and explore opportunities in travel surgical tech roles to capitalize on higher rates. Continued professional development and alignment with industry standards set by organizations such as AST and NBSTSA can bolster career advancement in this competitive market.
More salary data for Appleton, WI:
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 $67,220 for surgical technologistsin the Appleton 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