Surgical Technologist.
Billings.
$49,000
median salary, 14% below the national average
$41,000 to $60,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a Surgical Technologist offer in Billings, MT, here is the reality: $41,000 to $60,000, with $49,000 as the midpoint. 14% below 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 $44,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$32,000
to $39,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$42,000
to $51,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$54,000
to $64,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$61,000
to $76,000
Salary trend
+4% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $13,000 to the total package.
Base
$49,000
Equity
$7,000
Bonus
$5,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $62,000
How Billings compares
Billings, MT
$49,000
Cost of living: 11% below average
National Average
$57,000
Billings is $8,000 below
Surgical Technologist salary by city
Salary by role in Billings
What you should know
The Surgical Technologist landscape in Billings is not what most salary sites will tell you. Billings is Montana's largest city and economic hub, driven by energy, agriculture, and healthcare. The city serves as a regional center for the Northern Plains. Remote work has brought a wave of tech professionals seeking Montana's quality of life, gradually diversifying the local job market. 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 Billings, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 11% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
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: montana has a top income tax rate of 5.9% but no state sales tax. Billings has no city income tax. The no sales tax benefit helps offset the state income tax. When someone quotes you $49,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Negotiate remote work arrangements. Billings employers are increasingly open to remote and hybrid setups to attract talent from larger metros. The range for Surgical Technologists in Billings runs from $41,000 to $60,000. 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 IT Support Specialist in Billings earns $50,000 (2% more)
- The highest-paying role in Billings is Chief AI Officer at $287,000
Common questions.
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