Surgical Technologist Salary in Kalamazoo, MI: $69,849 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Kalamazoo, MI earns a median $69,849/year (≈ $33.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Kalamazoo's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.8), that paycheck buys what $73,649 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% above the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, surgical technologists in Kalamazoo, MI, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $69,849, slightly outpacing the national median of $68,141. The salary range for this profession reflects significant variability, with figures spanning from $38,323 at the 10th percentile to $98,865 at the 90th percentile. This data, sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the diverse opportunities available within the healthcare sector in Kalamazoo, particularly given the variety of surgical environments including hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), and specialty surgical centers. As the demand for surgical services continues to grow, the job market for surgical technologists in the area is expected to remain robust, driven by both public and private healthcare providers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,323 | $18.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,966 | $30.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,849 | $33.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,981 | $39.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,865 | $47.54 |
Median Salary Position
2.51% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kalamazoo
In Kalamazoo, MI, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,542 (2026 est.). At $69,849, the local median is 2.51% above the national median of $68,141.
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At 40 hours/week in Kalamazoo: You'd be above the median
How Kalamazoo Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Kalamazoo median: $69,849/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kalamazoo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $66,713 | +4.70% more |
| National Average | $68,141 | +2.51% more |
Surgical Technologists in Kalamazoo, MI earn a median of $69,849 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.51% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 4.70% above the Michigan state average of $66,713.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kalamazoo has a cost of living 5.16% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kalamazoo, MI has a cost-of-living index of 94.84 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $69,849 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,649 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.44% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,290
2025 BLS Actual
$66,270
2026 Current Est.
$69,849
2019–2027 Growth
+52.5%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Kalamazoo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,956 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,860 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,000 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,380 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,270 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,849 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,620 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kalamazoo metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 37.2% from $48,290 (2019) to $66,270 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,620 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,330 (52.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kalamazoo 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) | $38,323 – $62,966 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,966 – $69,849 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,849 – $82,981 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,981 – $98,865 |
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 Kalamazoo
A total of 130 surgical technologists are currently employed in Kalamazoo, presenting a competitive job market for those entering this field. The local cost of living index stands at 94.84, indicating that it is relatively affordable compared to the national average, which can result in enhanced purchasing power for those in this profession. Major employers, including hospitals and specialized surgical centers, typically offer the most competitive pay, especially for roles requiring advanced certifications such as robotic surgery or positions that provide call coverage. Factors influencing the salary spread include specialization in high-demand areas like cardiovascular and neurosurgery, as well as incentives for surgical first assistants. To maximize earnings, aspiring professionals should focus on obtaining certifications recognized in Kalmazoo's healthcare market, engaging in continued education, and considering employment with trauma centers or travel surgical tech agencies, where pay scales can be substantially higher.
More salary data for Kalamazoo, 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
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 $66,270 for surgical technologistsin the Kalamazoo 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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