Surg Tech Salary

Altus vs Oklahoma City: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Altus, OK and Oklahoma City, OK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Altus, OK
$57,432
$27.61/hr
Oklahoma City, OK
$67,762
$32.58/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAltus, OKOklahoma City, OK
Median Salary$57,432$67,762
Hourly Rate$27.61$32.58
Entry Level (P10)$41,976$52,942
25th Percentile$48,666$58,708
75th Percentile$67,098$73,601
Top Earner (P90)$83,177$82,728
Total Employed5930
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Altus ($57,432) and Oklahoma City ($67,762) surgical technologist salaries.AltusOklahoma CityMedian Salary$57,432$67,762Entry Level (P10)$41,976$52,942Top Earner (P90)$83,177$82,728US Median $68,141

Verdict

Oklahoma City, OK offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Altus.

The salary gap between Altus and Oklahoma City is $10,330 (17.99%). Oklahoma City's median is -0.56% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Altus spans $41,201,Oklahoma City spans $29,786. Altus has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Altus
P10 (Entry)$41,976
P25$48,666
Median$57,432
P75$67,098
P90 (Top)$83,177
Oklahoma City
P10 (Entry)$52,942
P25$58,708
Median$67,762
P75$73,601
P90 (Top)$82,728

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Oklahoma City ($74,951 effective) pays 16.02% more than Altus ($64,603 effective).

Altus
Nominal: $57,432
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $64,603
Oklahoma City
Nominal: $67,762
CoL Index: 90.408
Adjusted: $74,951

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Altus if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($83,177)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Oklahoma City if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,762/year)
  • Larger job market (930 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,951)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Altus grew 29.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 35.8% growth in Oklahoma City over the same period.

Altus, OK

+29.3%

$42,142 (2024) → $54,490 (2025)

Oklahoma City, OK

+35.8%

$47,350 (2019) → $64,290 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Altus or Oklahoma City?

Oklahoma City has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $67,762/year, compared to Altus at $57,432/year — a difference of $10,330 (17.99%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Altus and Oklahoma City?

Altus surgical technologists earn $27.61/hr while Oklahoma City hygienists earn $32.58/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Altus to Oklahoma City as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Altus and Oklahoma City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Altus = $64,603, Oklahoma City = $74,951), job availability (5 vs 930 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Altus vs Oklahoma City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $41,976 in Altus and $52,942 in Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma City area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JT

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.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Ramirez, AAS, CSTData verified by Fatima Ali, BS, CST

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.40% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jessica Thompson, BA, CST, a licensed surgical technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov