Surgical Technologist Salary in Wisconsin (2026) - $72,530/yr
Wisconsin surgical techs earn a mean of $72,530/yr (6% vs national mean $68,710, BLS OEWS May 2025, SOC 29-2055). Below-average cost-of-living (index 96) brings real purchasing power to roughly $75,552, above the national real-terms benchmark and further reinforced by strong employer benefits at Aurora, Froedtert, and UW Health.
Wisconsin Metro Area Pay
| Metro Area | Mean Annual | Mean Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Madison | $74,420 | $35.78 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | $74,290 | $35.71 |
| Green Bay | $71,610 | $34.43 |
| Appleton | $70,410 | $33.85 |
Metro estimates: BLS OEWS May 2025 metropolitan cross-tab, SOC 29-2055.
Wisconsin Highlights
Milwaukee: Aurora Health Care (now part of Advocate Health, the third-largest non-profit system in the US) and Froedtert Hospital (the Medical College of Wisconsin teaching hospital, Level I trauma) are the two dominant employers. Children Wisconsin (pediatric Level I) and Ascension Wisconsin add depth. The Aurora and Froedtert systems both negotiate competitively, which keeps Milwaukee pay above the state mean.
Madison: University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics (UW Health, Level I trauma + transplant) anchors the metro and pays the highest in the state for academic medical center CST roles. SSM Health St Marys and UnityPoint Health Meriter compete for staff techs. Madison also benefits from a stable, well-funded state employer environment.
Licensure: Wisconsin does not require state-specific surgical technologist licensure. CST credential through NBSTSA is the typical hiring standard. Wisconsin state income tax (graduated, top rate 7.65%) is on the higher end among Midwest states, which reduces take-home compared to neighboring Illinois or Indiana at the same nominal pay.