Entry-Level Surgical Technologist Salary in Janesville, WI: $63,103 (2026)
Quick Answer:New surgical technologists entering the Janesville, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $63,103 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2055, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Janesville's local price level (BEA RPP 93.7 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $67,344 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($78,375) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates entering the surgical technologist field in Janesville, Wisconsin, the starting salary offers a realistic entry point at $63,103 in 2026. This figure is significantly lower than the city’s median salary of $78,375, illustrating a gap that many fresh graduates may need to navigate as they begin their careers. Over the first three to five years, aspiring surgical technologists have the potential to see upward mobility, with salaries projected to rise steadily from entry-level wages to the P25 threshold and median pay. Currently, Janesville presents a favorable market for new graduates, as the demand for surgical technologists is expected to grow, driven by an anticipated 5.40% annual increase in job opportunities.
Career Earnings Timeline in Janesville
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Janesville
Entry-level surgical technologists in Janesville, WI typically start between $63,103 and $63,103 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $18,055 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $78,375 — 15.02% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average surgical services program cost in Wisconsin of $10,000 represents just 15.85% of the starting surgical technologist pay ($63,103/year) in Janesville. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAAHEP/ARC-STSA-accredited surgical technology program data and community college tuition reports. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary by institution type (community college vs. private vocational) and program length.
Surg Tech, CST Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Janesville
- 1Research the Janesville market: entry-level surgical technologist pay ranges from $63,103 to $63,103, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the surgical services field — employers in WI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Janesville, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Janesville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Janesville's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Surgical Technologist Compensation Range
The surgical technologist wage spread in Janesville is $18,055 ( 28.61%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $63,103, experienced hygienists can earn up to $81,158.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$43,554
2025 BLS Actual
$59,870
2026 Current Est.
$63,103
2019–2027 Growth
+52.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Janesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,554 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,466 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,870 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,103 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,511 | Projected |
Entry-level surgical technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Janesville, WI grew 37.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $43,554 in 2019 to $59,870 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $66,511. New graduates entering the Janesville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Janesville 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.
Starting Your surgical services Career in Janesville
Employers in Janesville looking to hire entry-level surgical technologists primarily include hospital operating rooms, which often seek candidates with a general specialty rotation. Ambulatory surgery centers may present appealing no-call job opportunities for recent graduates, while specialty surgical centers typically recruit experienced surgical technologists. To enhance earning potential and career prospects, new graduates should focus on obtaining credentials such as a diploma or associate's degree from a CAAHEP-accredited program, as well as earning the CST certification through NBSTSA. Additionally, considering further specialties like cardiovascular or neurosurgery can result in higher pay, given their increased complexity. Robotic surgery certification offers yet another edge in this competitive field. Over the first few years, new grad surgical technologist pay in WI can start at the lower range but steadily improve as experience and credentials accumulate, allowing for sustainable career growth.
More salary data for Janesville, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for surgical technologists in Janesville in 2026?
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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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new surgical services graduates. A 5.40% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Janesville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-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