Surgical Technologist Salary in Wauwatosa, WI: $72,447 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Wauwatosa, WI earns a median $72,447/year (≈ $34.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Wauwatosa's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $77,566 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, surgical technologists in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, are expected to earn a median annual salary of $72,447, reflecting a competitive rate compared to the national median of $68,141. The salary range is projected to span from $53,622 at the 10th percentile to $106,446 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust compensation structure for those in this field. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and regional price parity adjustments, highlight the local market dynamics for surgical technologists. The variety of surgical settings, including hospital operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), and specialty surgical facilities, plays a significant role in shaping these salary outcomes, affecting how much surgical technologists can earn based on their chosen workplace.
About the Wauwatosa Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,622 | $25.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,082 | $29.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,447 | $34.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,205 | $42.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,446 | $51.17 |
Median Salary Position
6.32% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wauwatosa
In Wauwatosa, WI, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,824 (2026 est.). At $72,447, the local median is 6.32% above the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wauwatosa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wauwatosa Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Wauwatosa median: $72,447/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wauwatosa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $76,421 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | +6.32% more |
Surgical Technologists in Wauwatosa, WI earn a median of $72,447 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.32% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 5.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $76,421.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wauwatosa has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wauwatosa, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $72,447 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $77,566 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,352
2025 BLS Actual
$68,735
2026 Current Est.
$72,447
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Wauwatosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,352 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,851 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,596 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,496 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,355 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,735 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,447 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,359 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wauwatosa metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $51,352 (2019) to $68,735 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,359 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,007 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wauwatosa 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) | $53,622 – $62,082 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,082 – $72,447 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,447 – $89,205 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,205 – $106,446 |
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 Wauwatosa
The job market for surgical technologists in Wauwatosa appears stable, with only 10 professionals employed in the area. The local cost of living index stands at 93.4, indicating that expenses are lower than the national average and thus positively affecting take-home purchasing power. Among employers, hospital operating rooms are likely to offer the most competitive salaries, particularly for surgical technologists specializing in high-demand areas like cardiovascular and neurosurgery. The disparities in pay are driven by several factors, including the complexity of surgical procedures, call coverage requirements, and additional certifications such as robotic surgery expertise, which can significantly enhance earning potential. For those seeking to maximize their surgical technologist pay in Wauwatosa, pursuing advanced certifications through organizations like NBSTSA and engaging in continuous education, such as becoming a Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA), can be effective strategies to increase both salary and career prospects.
More salary data for Wauwatosa, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can surgical technologists make $100K in Wauwatosa?
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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 $68,735 for surgical technologistsin the Wauwatosa 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 Wauwatosa 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