Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay in Grand Rapids, MI: $32.27 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a surgical technologist working in Grand Rapids, MI runs $32.27 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,119 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Weighted against Grand Rapids's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.5, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,277 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Surgical technologists in Grand Rapids, MI, earn a median hourly pay of $32.27, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $32.76 as projected for 2026 based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. This hourly rate is particularly significant for both part-time and per-diem workers, who often find employment in various settings such as main operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical units. With an hourly range from $19.39 for entry-level positions to $47.81 for high earners, surgical technologists in this area have opportunities for flexible scheduling and varied work environments. This information is derived from official BLS projections, which suggest robust compensation potential for those entering the surgical technology field in Grand Rapids.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.39 | $155.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.69 | $205.49 |
| Median (P50) | $32.27 | $258.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.87 | $318.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.81 | $382.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Grand Rapids
Based on $32.27/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.27/hr, a surgical technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Grand Rapids, MI can expect to earn approximately $67,129 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,728. With a cost-of-living index of 95.55 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Grand Rapids.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Grand Rapids
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,290.94 | $5,594 | $67,129 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $774.56 | $3,356 | $40,277 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $516.38 | $2,238 | $26,852 |
Compare Surg Tech, CST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Surgical Technologist (Grand Rapids) | $32.27 |
| 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 Grand Rapids, MI earn a median of $67,119 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.50% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 0.60% above the Michigan state average of $66,718.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.27/hr = $40,277/year (purchasing power: $42,155).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,129/year (purchasing power: $70,258).
CoL index: 95.546 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.27/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+64.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Grand Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.23/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.27/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for surgical technologists in Grand Rapids grew 48.4% from $20.64/hr (2019) to $30.62/hr (2025). At a 5.40% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.02/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 Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids
Among part-time surgical technologists working three days a week, taking home pay translates to approximately $50,000 annually, compared to full-time counterparts. For per-diem surgical technologists in Grand Rapids, billing rates typically range from $35 to $55 per hour, with those specializing in cardiovascular and neurosurgery often earning between $50 and $75 per hour. Additionally, travel surgical technologist contracts can yield impressive weekly pay rates from $1,800 to $2,800, particularly for cardiac cases. Employers such as hospitals, surgical centers, and agency positions provide varied hourly rates influenced by the complexity of procedures, with many professionals weighing the benefits of health insurance against higher hourly wages without such offerings. To optimize their compensation, surgical technologists are encouraged to negotiate based on their skills, certifications—especially in robotic surgery—and the demand for their specialty in the local job market.
More salary data for Grand Rapids, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for surgical technologists in Grand Rapids in 2026?
How much do part-time surgical technologists make in Grand Rapids?
Are surgical technologists in Grand Rapids paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time surgical technologist make per year in Grand Rapids?
Do surgical technologists earn more per hour working part-time in Grand Rapids?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Michigan
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 Grand Rapids. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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