How Much Does a Surgical Tech Make in Michigan in 2026?

A typical Surgical Tech in Michigan earns about $30.44 per hour ($63,320 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that works out to roughly $5,277 a month or $1,218 a week. These figures describe pay across the whole state, before overtime, shift differentials, or benefits are added in.

Michigan's typical pay sits about 2% below the national figure of $64,650 a year ($31.08 an hour), a gap that tracks with the state's lower cost of living. That puts Michigan 26th out of 51 states and the District of Columbia for Surgical Tech pay. About 3,840 Surgical Techs work across Michigan, compared with 117,460 nationwide.

Entry-level positions in Michigan typically offer around $21.00 an hour ($43,690 a year) for Surgical Techs just starting out. Pay tends to move toward the state's typical figure of $30.44 an hour within the first few years on the job. Additional certifications and hands-on experience in the operating room tend to speed that climb.

Experienced Surgical Techs in Michigan often earn upwards of $36.77 an hour ($76,470 a year), and the top 10% of earners make over $38.25 an hour ($79,550 a year). That leaves a spread of $35,860 between entry-level and top pay. Setting, years of experience, and which city a tech works in tend to account for most of that difference.

Michigan's typical Surgical Tech pay climbed from $42,940 in 2015 to $63,320 in 2025, a gain of $20,380. That amounts to a 47% rise over the decade, tracking mostly steady year-over-year increases with a notable jump between 2022 and 2023. Pay has moved up in nearly every year of that stretch.

Nationwide, Surgical Tech pay rose 46% over the same ten years, just a point behind Michigan's climb. Pay in this field has moved up steadily for Michigan Surgical Techs, though past gains are no guarantee of future increases. Someone starting out today is entering the field at a higher pay point than techs saw a decade ago.

Pay runs highest in Mishawaka, where Surgical Techs typically earn $67,660 a year ($32.53 an hour), about 7% above the statewide figure. Kalamazoo and Portage follow closely, both at $66,270 a year, with Dearborn, Detroit, and Warren not far behind at $65,810 a year ($31.64 an hour). These figures reflect each city's full metro area, not just the city center.

At the other end, Saginaw pays the least, with typical Surgical Tech pay of $54,470 a year ($26.19 an hour), a spread of $13,190 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities. Dearborn holds the largest Surgical Tech workforce in the state, with about 1,670 employed at a typical $65,810 a year. Cities with higher pay also tend to carry a higher cost of living, so the gap doesn't always translate into more spending power.

Michigan's neighbors show a mixed picture. Wisconsin pays Surgical Techs noticeably more, with typical pay of $74,120 a year, about 17% above Michigan. Indiana runs close to Michigan at $64,240 a year, while Ohio pays slightly less at $62,420 a year, about 1% below Michigan. Surgical Tech licensure or certification earned in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, which can simplify a move across state lines.

Surgical Techs in Michigan typically earn $30.44 an hour ($63,320 a year), a figure that has climbed 47% over the past decade. Pay varies by city and experience level, so readers weighing a move or a new role should check the state's licensing or registry requirements and compare local figures on individual city pages before deciding where to work.