Surg Tech Salary

Atlanta vs Douglasville: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Atlanta, GA and Douglasville, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlanta, GA
$71,219
$34.24/hr
Douglasville, GA
$61,199
$29.43/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlanta, GADouglasville, GA
Median Salary$71,219$61,199
Hourly Rate$34.24$29.43
Entry Level (P10)$42,255$47,228
25th Percentile$56,389$52,700
75th Percentile$84,562$75,513
Top Earner (P90)$92,014$90,481
Total Employed2,4006
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlanta ($71,219) and Douglasville ($61,199) surgical technologist salaries.AtlantaDouglasvilleMedian Salary$71,219$61,199Entry Level (P10)$42,255$47,228Top Earner (P90)$92,014$90,481US Median $68,141

Verdict

Atlanta, GA offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Douglasville.

The salary gap between Atlanta and Douglasville is $10,020 (16.37%). Atlanta's median is +4.52% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlanta spans $49,759,Douglasville spans $43,253. Atlanta has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Atlanta
P10 (Entry)$42,255
P25$56,389
Median$71,219
P75$84,562
P90 (Top)$92,014
Douglasville
P10 (Entry)$47,228
P25$52,700
Median$61,199
P75$75,513
P90 (Top)$90,481

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlanta ($71,178 effective) pays 8.28% more than Douglasville ($65,735 effective).

Atlanta
Nominal: $71,219
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $71,178
Douglasville
Nominal: $61,199
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $65,735

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlanta if…

  • Higher median salary ($71,219/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($92,014)
  • Larger job market (2,400 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,178)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Douglasville if…

  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Atlanta grew 40.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.2% growth in Douglasville over the same period.

Atlanta, GA

+40.4%

$48,130 (2019) → $67,570 (2025)

Douglasville, GA

+19.2%

$48,717 (2024) → $58,064 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Atlanta or Douglasville?

Atlanta has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $71,219/year, compared to Douglasville at $61,199/year — a difference of $10,020 (16.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlanta and Douglasville?

Atlanta surgical technologists earn $34.24/hr while Douglasville hygienists earn $29.43/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlanta to Douglasville as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlanta and Douglasville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlanta = $71,178, Douglasville = $65,735), job availability (2,400 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Atlanta vs Douglasville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $42,255 in Atlanta and $47,228 in Douglasville. The Douglasville 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