Surgical Technologists Salary
The median pay for a surgical technologists in Wisconsin is $74,120/year ($35.64/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $59K at the entry level to $87K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.33), which stretches that salary to about $78,575 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,202/month, or 24.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Wisconsin. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $74K get you in Wisconsin?
About surgical technologists
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What this looks like in Wisconsin
Wisconsin sits well above the national pay line for surgical technologists, local pay runs about 15% higher than the U.S. median of $65K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,202/month, 25% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.33 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Combined with manageable housing costs, Wisconsin offers a genuinely strong financial position for surgical technologistss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Wisconsin
Entry-level surgical technologists (10th percentile) start around $59K. Mid-career wages sit at $74K. Top earners bring in $87K or more, a $27K spread from bottom to top.
Surgical Technologists salary by metro in Wisconsin
10 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | $76K | +2% | 330 |
| Eau Claire | $75K | +1% | 70 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | $75K | +1% | 610 |
| Janesville-Beloit | $74K | +0% | 60 |
| Green Bay | $73K | -1% | 240 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah | $72K | -3% | 50 |
| Wausau | $69K | -6% | 90 |
| Appleton | $67K | -9% | 100 |
| Sheboygan | $65K | -12% | 30 |
| Kenosha | $60K | -19% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track surgical technologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Wisconsin numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a surgical technologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Wisconsin?
Yes — at the median salary of $74K, rent takes 25% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,202/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for surgical technologists in Wisconsin?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new surgical technologists typically earn — is $59K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,565/month. At HUD’s $1,202/month FMR, rent would take 34% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is surgical technologist a high-paying job in Wisconsin?
Local pay is 15% above the national median — $74K here vs. $65K nationally.
How does Wisconsin compare to the national average for surgical technologists?
Wisconsin pays $74K median vs. the U.S. average of $65K — that’s +15%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.33), the purchasing-power equivalent is $79K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do surgical technologists make in Wisconsin?
The median is $74,120 a year, that works out to about $36 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $59,410, and experienced surgical technologists can clear $86,670. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $74K enough to live in Wisconsin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,804/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,202/month, which eats 25% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a surgical technologists salary go in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin has a Regional Price Parity of 94.33 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median surgical technologists salary is worth about $78,575 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do surgical technologists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.