Surg Tech Salary

Ballwin vs Kansas City: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Ballwin, MO and Kansas City, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Ballwin, MO
$61,740
$29.68/hr
Kansas City, MO
$65,612
$31.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBallwin, MOKansas City, MO
Median Salary$61,740$65,612
Hourly Rate$29.68$31.55
Entry Level (P10)$44,932$50,128
25th Percentile$52,341$60,594
75th Percentile$75,380$80,389
Top Earner (P90)$89,967$84,931
Total Employed4980
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Ballwin ($61,740) and Kansas City ($65,612) surgical technologist salaries.BallwinKansas CityMedian Salary$61,740$65,612Entry Level (P10)$44,932$50,128Top Earner (P90)$89,967$84,931US Median $68,141

Verdict

Kansas City, MO offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Ballwin.

The salary gap between Ballwin and Kansas City is $3,872 (6.27%). Kansas City's median is -3.71% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Ballwin spans $45,035,Kansas City spans $34,803. Ballwin has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Ballwin
P10 (Entry)$44,932
P25$52,341
Median$61,740
P75$75,380
P90 (Top)$89,967
Kansas City
P10 (Entry)$50,128
P25$60,594
Median$65,612
P75$80,389
P90 (Top)$84,931

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kansas City ($70,899 effective) pays 2.89% more than Ballwin ($68,906 effective).

Ballwin
Nominal: $61,740
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $68,906
Kansas City
Nominal: $65,612
CoL Index: 92.543
Adjusted: $70,899

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Ballwin if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($89,967)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Kansas City if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,612/year)
  • Larger job market (980 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,899)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Ballwin grew 31.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 32.6% growth in Kansas City over the same period.

Ballwin, MO

+31.2%

$44,654 (2024) → $58,577 (2025)

Kansas City, MO

+32.6%

$46,960 (2019) → $62,250 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Ballwin or Kansas City?

Kansas City has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $65,612/year, compared to Ballwin at $61,740/year — a difference of $3,872 (6.27%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Ballwin and Kansas City?

Ballwin surgical technologists earn $29.68/hr while Kansas City hygienists earn $31.55/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Ballwin to Kansas City as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Ballwin and Kansas City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Ballwin = $68,906, Kansas City = $70,899), job availability (4 vs 980 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Ballwin vs Kansas City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $44,932 in Ballwin and $50,128 in Kansas City. The Kansas 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