Surg Tech Salary

Atlantic City vs Cherry Hill: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Atlantic City, NJ and Cherry Hill, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlantic City, NJ
$66,666
$32.05/hr
Cherry Hill, NJ
$76,262
$36.67/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlantic City, NJCherry Hill, NJ
Median Salary$66,666$76,262
Hourly Rate$32.05$36.67
Entry Level (P10)$41,064$54,928
25th Percentile$49,475$64,729
75th Percentile$68,394$93,924
Top Earner (P90)$84,731$113,540
Total Employed16011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlantic City ($66,666) and Cherry Hill ($76,262) surgical technologist salaries.Atlantic CityCherry HillMedian Salary$66,666$76,262Entry Level (P10)$41,064$54,928Top Earner (P90)$84,731$113,540US Median $68,141

Verdict

Cherry Hill, NJ offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Atlantic City.

The salary gap between Atlantic City and Cherry Hill is $9,596 (14.39%). Cherry Hill's median is +11.92% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlantic City spans $43,667,Cherry Hill spans $58,612. Cherry Hill has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced surgical technologists.

Atlantic City
P10 (Entry)$41,064
P25$49,475
Median$66,666
P75$68,394
P90 (Top)$84,731
Cherry Hill
P10 (Entry)$54,928
P25$64,729
Median$76,262
P75$93,924
P90 (Top)$113,540

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlantic City ($67,437 effective) pays 1.87% more than Cherry Hill ($66,200 effective).

Atlantic City
Nominal: $66,666
CoL Index: 98.857
Adjusted: $67,437
Cherry Hill
Nominal: $76,262
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $66,200

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlantic City if…

  • Larger job market (160 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,437)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Cherry Hill if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,262/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($113,540)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Atlantic City grew 11.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.3% growth in Cherry Hill over the same period.

Atlantic City, NJ

+11.1%

$56,950 (2019) → $63,250 (2025)

Cherry Hill, NJ

+4.3%

$69,389 (2024) → $72,355 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Atlantic City or Cherry Hill?

Cherry Hill has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $76,262/year, compared to Atlantic City at $66,666/year — a difference of $9,596 (14.39%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlantic City and Cherry Hill?

Atlantic City surgical technologists earn $32.05/hr while Cherry Hill hygienists earn $36.67/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlantic City to Cherry Hill as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlantic City and Cherry Hill. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlantic City = $67,437, Cherry Hill = $66,200), job availability (160 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Atlantic City vs Cherry Hill?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $41,064 in Atlantic City and $54,928 in Cherry Hill. The Cherry Hill area offers higher starting salaries.
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