Surgical Technologist Salary in St. Paul, MN: $85,561 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in St. Paul, MN earns a median $85,561/year (≈ $41.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in St. Paul's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $86,864 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 27.5% above the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a surgical technologist in St. Paul, Minnesota, commands a median annual salary of $85,561, significantly surpassing the national median of $68,141. The salary range for this profession in St. Paul varies widely, with entry-level positions starting around $59,818 while experienced technologists can earn up to $132,618. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic conditions, reflect the competitive nature of healthcare employment in the area. Factors such as job location—hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical centers—play a crucial role in determining compensation levels, making St. Paul an attractive market for aspiring surgical technologists.
About the St. Paul Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,818 | $28.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,737 | $34.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,561 | $41.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,547 | $50.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $132,618 | $63.76 |
Median Salary Position
25.56% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Paul
In St. Paul, MN, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,800 (2026 est.). At $85,561, the local median is 25.56% above the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Paul: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Paul Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
St. Paul median: $85,561/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Paul Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $67,106 | +27.50% more |
| National Average | $68,141 | +25.56% more |
Surgical Technologists in St. Paul, MN earn a median of $85,561 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.56% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 27.50% above the Minnesota state average of $67,106.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Paul 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.
St. Paul, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $85,561 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,864 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,647
2025 BLS Actual
$81,177
2026 Current Est.
$85,561
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in St. Paul (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,647 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,418 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,936 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,266 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,104 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,527 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,177 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,561 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,181 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Paul metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $60,647 (2019) to $81,177 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,181 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,534 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Paul 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) | $59,818 – $71,737 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,737 – $85,561 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,561 – $105,547 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,547 – $132,618 |
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 St. Paul
The local job market for surgical technologists presents promising opportunities, with approximately 80 individuals currently employed in this field. St. Paul’s cost of living index of 98.5 indicates that expenses are slightly below the national average, which enhances the purchasing power of surgical technologist salaries in the area. Employers in hospital operating rooms, especially those providing specialized services like cardiovascular and neurosurgery, tend to offer higher salaries compared to ambulatory surgery centers. The pay difference often comes from various factors, including specialty certifications, on-call duties, and additional credentials such as robotic surgery training. For those looking to maximize their earnings in St. Paul, pursuing certifications in high-demand areas and considering travel surgical tech agencies can lead to substantial pay increases.
More salary data for St. Paul, 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 $81,177 for surgical technologistsin the St. Paul 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 St. Paul 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