Surg Tech Salary

Andover vs Boston: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Andover, MA and Boston, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Andover, MA
$78,350
$37.67/hr
Boston, MA
$85,901
$41.30/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAndover, MABoston, MA
Median Salary$78,350$85,901
Hourly Rate$37.67$41.30
Entry Level (P10)$57,836$65,021
25th Percentile$67,026$79,029
75th Percentile$94,555$104,957
Top Earner (P90)$112,360$122,622
Total Employed51,550
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Andover ($78,350) and Boston ($85,901) surgical technologist salaries.AndoverBostonMedian Salary$78,350$85,901Entry Level (P10)$57,836$65,021Top Earner (P90)$112,360$122,622US Median $68,141

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Andover.

The salary gap between Andover and Boston is $7,551 (9.64%). Boston's median is +26.06% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Andover spans $54,524,Boston spans $57,601. Boston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced surgical technologists.

Andover
P10 (Entry)$57,836
P25$67,026
Median$78,350
P75$94,555
P90 (Top)$112,360
Boston
P10 (Entry)$65,021
P25$79,029
Median$85,901
P75$104,957
P90 (Top)$122,622

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($79,343 effective) pays 9.87% more than Andover ($72,212 effective).

Andover
Nominal: $78,350
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $72,212
Boston
Nominal: $85,901
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $79,343

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Andover if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($85,901/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($122,622)
  • Larger job market (1,550 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,343)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Andover grew 6.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 44.2% growth in Boston over the same period.

Andover, MA

+6.4%

$69,858 (2024) → $74,336 (2025)

Boston, MA

+44.2%

$56,520 (2019) → $81,500 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Andover or Boston?

Boston has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $85,901/year, compared to Andover at $78,350/year — a difference of $7,551 (9.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Andover and Boston?

Andover surgical technologists earn $37.67/hr while Boston hygienists earn $41.30/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Andover to Boston as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Andover and Boston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Andover = $72,212, Boston = $79,343), job availability (5 vs 1,550 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Andover vs Boston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $57,836 in Andover and $65,021 in Boston. The Boston 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