Surgical Technologist.
Ann Arbor.
$60,000
median salary, 5% above the national average
$50,000 to $73,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a Surgical Technologist offer in Ann Arbor, MI, here is the reality: $50,000 to $73,000, with $60,000 as the midpoint. 5% above the national average. Surgical specialty drives compensation, with cardiovascular, neuro, and robotic surgery techs earning the most. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $54,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$39,000
to $48,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$51,000
to $63,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$66,000
to $78,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$75,000
to $93,000
Salary trend
+5% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $16,000 to the total package.
Base
$60,000
Equity
$9,000
Bonus
$6,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $76,000
How Ann Arbor compares
Ann Arbor, MI
$60,000
Cost of living: 2% above average
National Average
$57,000
Ann Arbor is $3,000 above
Surgical Technologist salary by city
Salary by role in Ann Arbor
What you should know
The Surgical Technologist landscape in Ann Arbor is not what most salary sites will tell you. Ann Arbor is a top-tier research hub anchored by the University of Michigan. The city has a thriving startup ecosystem, strong automotive R&D presence, and growing AI and robotics sector. Toyota, Google, and numerous autonomous vehicle companies have offices here. Surgical specialty drives compensation, with cardiovascular, neuro, and robotic surgery techs earning the most. Certification through NBSTSA is increasingly required and commands higher pay. Level I trauma centers and academic medical centers pay above community hospitals, and call pay for after-hours coverage adds meaningful income.
New surgical techs start at $45,000 to $50,000 with certification. Experienced techs in specialty ORs earn $58,000 to $68,000 after five years. Lead surgical techs or first assistants can reach $70,000 to $82,000, with surgical first assist certification opening the highest pay tier. In Ann Arbor, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Surgical techs receive call pay of $3 to $6 per hour when on standby, plus overtime for emergency cases. Benefits include health insurance, scrub allowances, and certification renewal reimbursement. Some hospitals offer retention bonuses in tight labor markets. And on the tax side: michigan has a flat 4.25% income tax. Ann Arbor has a city income tax of 1% for residents. The moderate combined rate is offset by the strong employer base and research ecosystem. When someone quotes you $60,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Leverage the autonomous vehicle and robotics corridor. Ann Arbor employers pay nationally competitive rates for AI, robotics, and automotive engineering talent. The range for Surgical Technologists in Ann Arbor runs from $50,000 to $73,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Sales Development Representative in Ann Arbor earns $59,000 (2% less)
- The highest-paying role in Ann Arbor is Distinguished Engineer at $330,000
Common questions.
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