Surgical Technologist Salary in Oshkosh, WI: $75,772 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Oshkosh, WI earns a median $75,772/year (≈ $36.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Oshkosh's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.9), that paycheck buys what $81,538 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source

Surgical technologists in Oshkosh, WI, can expect a median annual salary of $75,772 in 2026, reflecting a robust growth rate and competitive compensation compared to the national median of $68,141. The salary range for this profession spans from $63,177 at the 10th percentile to $89,664 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a clear opportunity for specialization to elevate earnings. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, the local job market shows promise, particularly for those who pursue additional training in high-demand specialties like cardiovascular and neurosurgery, as these fields tend to offer the highest premiums.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,177 | $30.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,351 | $32.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,772 | $36.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,516 | $39.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,664 | $43.11 |
Median Salary Position
11.20% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oshkosh
In Oshkosh, WI, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,487 (2026 est.). At $75,772, the local median is 11.2% above the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oshkosh: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oshkosh Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Oshkosh median: $75,772/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oshkosh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $76,383 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | +11.20% more |
Surgical Technologists in Oshkosh, WI earn a median of $75,772 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.20% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 0.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $76,383.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oshkosh has a cost of living 7.07% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oshkosh, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.929 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $75,772 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $81,538 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.61% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$51,420
2025 BLS Actual
$71,890
2026 Current Est.
$75,772
2019–2027 Growth
+55.3%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Oshkosh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,170 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,570 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,590 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,890 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,772 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,864 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oshkosh metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 39.8% from $51,420 (2019) to $71,890 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,864 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,444 (55.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oshkosh 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) | $63,177 – $67,351 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,351 – $75,772 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,772 – $81,516 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,516 – $89,664 |
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 Oshkosh
In Oshkosh, the job market for surgical technologists comprises approximately 50 professionals, with an attractive cost-of-living index of 92.929 that enables strong purchasing power. Employers such as major hospitals or specialized surgical centers are typically the most lucrative, with top pay often found in areas like cardiothoracic and robotic surgery, where there’s a premium for advanced certifications. Factors influencing salary discrepancies include specialty expertise, call coverage requirements, and certifications such as the Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA), which can lead to significant pay differentials. To maximize earnings in this Oshkosh market, pursuing certifications in robotic surgery and a specialization in high-demand areas will be beneficial, opening avenues to higher rates and more comprehensive financial packages.
More salary data for Oshkosh, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Oshkosh, WI in 2026?
Is Oshkosh, WI a good place to work as a surgical technologist?
Can surgical technologists make $100K in Oshkosh?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted surgical technologist salary in Oshkosh?
How much does a surgical technologist make per hour in Oshkosh?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
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 $71,890 for surgical technologistsin the Oshkosh 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, 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