Surgical Technologist Salary in Moorhead, MN: $64,550 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Moorhead, MN earns a median $64,550/year (≈ $31.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Moorhead's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $65,533 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the surgical technologist salary in Moorhead, Minnesota, is projected to be $64,550 annually, which reflects a decrease compared to the national median of $68,141, translating to a -5.27% variance. Salaries in this region span from $49,285 at the bottom 10th percentile to as much as $96,616 at the top 90th percentile, indicating a broad spectrum of earnings potential within the profession. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price differences, showcase how specialized surgical technologists, particularly in cardiovascular and neurosurgery, can expect to command higher pay scales in Moorhead's healthcare settings. The local job market features limited employment opportunities, with only 11 surgical technologists noted, highlighting the competitive nature of the field in this area.
About the Moorhead Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,285 | $23.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,428 | $27.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,550 | $31.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,748 | $36.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,616 | $46.45 |
Median Salary Position
5.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moorhead
In Moorhead, MN, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,331 (2026 est.). At $64,550, the local median is 5.27% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Moorhead: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Moorhead Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Moorhead median: $64,550/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Moorhead Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $67,100 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -5.27% less |
Surgical Technologists in Moorhead, MN earn a median of $64,550 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.27% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 3.80% below the Minnesota state average of $67,100.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Moorhead has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Moorhead, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $64,550 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,533 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,755
2025 BLS Actual
$61,243
2026 Current Est.
$64,550
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Moorhead (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,755 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,973 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,011 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,416 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,628 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,243 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,550 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,036 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Moorhead metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.8% from $45,755 (2019) to $61,243 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,036 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,281 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moorhead 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) | $49,285 – $56,428 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,428 – $64,550 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,550 – $76,748 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,748 – $96,616 |
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 Moorhead
Given the cost-of-living index for Moorhead stands at 98.5, this is slightly below the national average, which could affect the purchasing power of local surgical technologist pay. Most of the higher salaries are likely found within hospital operating rooms, specialized surgical centers, and ambulatory surgery centers. The factors that contribute to varying salaries include the complexity of the surgical procedures performed, specialty certifications like robotic surgery training, and roles that require additional responsibility, such as surgical first assistants. To enhance earning potential, surgical technologists in Moorhead should consider pursuing advanced certifications, seeking positions that involve specialized skills, or exploring travel surgical technologist roles which often come with premium pay rates. With the projected annual growth rate of 5.40% for this role, there are opportunities on the horizon for aspiring surgical technologists in this market.
More salary data for Moorhead, MN:
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 $61,243 for surgical technologistsin the Moorhead 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
Salary data for Moorhead 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