Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay in Bay City, MI: $31.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a surgical technologist working in Bay City, MI runs $31.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,242 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Weighted against Bay City's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.18 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,751 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Bay City, Michigan, surgical technologists can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $31.85 in 2026, which is slightly lower than the national hourly median of $32.76. This pay scale indicates that those working part-time, averaging three days a week, can effectively balance their earnings while benefiting from a flexible schedule. Per-diem surgical technologists also find opportunities at competitive rates, especially in diverse settings like hospital operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical units, reflecting a broader hourly range from $23.37 for entry-level positions to $45.50 for top earners. These figures are estimated from annual salary data, emphasizing the potential financial viability of a surgical technologist career in the Bay City area.
About the Bay City Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.37 | $186.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.14 | $217.12 |
| Median (P50) | $31.85 | $254.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.33 | $306.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.50 | $364.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bay City
Based on $31.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.85/hr, a surgical technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bay City, MI can expect to earn approximately $66,252 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,222. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bay City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bay City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,274.08 | $5,521 | $66,252 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $764.45 | $3,313 | $39,751 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $509.63 | $2,208 | $26,501 |
Compare Surg Tech, CST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Surgical Technologist (Bay City) | $31.85 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.36 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
| Radiologic Technologist (National Avg) | $36.78 |
Surgical Technologists in Bay City, MI earn a median of $66,242 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.79% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 0.70% below the Michigan state average of $66,709.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.85/hr = $39,751/year (purchasing power: $42,651).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,252/year (purchasing power: $71,086).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.58/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.22/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Bay City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.58/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.24/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.22/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for surgical technologists in Bay City grew 33.9% from $22.58/hr (2019) to $30.22/hr (2025). At a 5.40% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.57/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem surgical technologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bay City 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.
Working as an Hourly Surgical Technologist in Bay City
Part-time surgical technologists working in Bay City, typically clocking in around 24 hours a week, have the potential to take home valuable earnings, yet their annual income will be lower compared to full-time counterparts. For example, per-diem surgical technologists often command hourly rates between $35 and $55, with specialized roles in cardiac and neurosurgery attracting even higher per diem rates of $50 to $75. Notably, travel surgical tech contracts open doors to significant weekly earnings, ranging from $1,800 to $2,800, particularly for those skilled in high-demand areas. However, hourly rates can substantially differ based on employer type, such as hospitals, specialty surgical centers, or military units, leading to varied benefits and compensation. With this in mind, surgical technologists in Bay City may need to negotiate wisely, balancing the attractive hourly rates against the stability and health insurance benefits offered by permanent positions.
More salary data for Bay City, MI:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.40% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for surgical technologists in Bay City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bay City 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