Surg Tech Salary

Augusta vs Woodstock: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Augusta, GA
$63,556
$30.56/hr
Woodstock, GA
$62,572
$30.08/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GAWoodstock, GA
Median Salary$63,556$62,572
Hourly Rate$30.56$30.08
Entry Level (P10)$48,273$45,702
25th Percentile$56,083$55,589
75th Percentile$76,067$75,260
Top Earner (P90)$84,552$89,004
Total Employed2505
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($63,556) and Woodstock ($62,572) surgical technologist salaries.AugustaWoodstockMedian Salary$63,556$62,572Entry Level (P10)$48,273$45,702Top Earner (P90)$84,552$89,004US Median $68,141

Verdict

Augusta, GA offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Woodstock.

The salary gap between Augusta and Woodstock is $984 (1.57%). Augusta's median is -6.73% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Augusta spans $36,279,Woodstock spans $43,302. Woodstock has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced surgical technologists.

Augusta
P10 (Entry)$48,273
P25$56,083
Median$63,556
P75$76,067
P90 (Top)$84,552
Woodstock
P10 (Entry)$45,702
P25$55,589
Median$62,572
P75$75,260
P90 (Top)$89,004

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Augusta ($69,156 effective) pays 2.90% more than Woodstock ($67,209 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $63,556
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $69,156
Woodstock
Nominal: $62,572
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $67,209

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Augusta if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,556/year)
  • Larger job market (250 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,156)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Woodstock if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($89,004)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Augusta grew 51.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.2% growth in Woodstock over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+51.3%

$39,850 (2019) → $60,300 (2025)

Woodstock, GA

+19.2%

$49,809 (2024) → $59,366 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Augusta or Woodstock?

Augusta has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $63,556/year, compared to Woodstock at $62,572/year — a difference of $984 (1.57%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Woodstock?

Augusta surgical technologists earn $30.56/hr while Woodstock hygienists earn $30.08/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Augusta to Woodstock as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Woodstock. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $69,156, Woodstock = $67,209), job availability (250 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Augusta vs Woodstock?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $48,273 in Augusta and $45,702 in Woodstock. The Augusta 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