Surg Tech Salary

Baltimore vs Germantown: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Baltimore, MD and Germantown, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baltimore, MD
$72,694
$34.95/hr
Germantown, MD
$74,969
$36.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaltimore, MDGermantown, MD
Median Salary$72,694$74,969
Hourly Rate$34.95$36.05
Entry Level (P10)$45,311$52,558
25th Percentile$63,988$62,322
75th Percentile$85,922$92,662
Top Earner (P90)$87,556$112,167
Total Employed1,09022
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baltimore ($72,694) and Germantown ($74,969) surgical technologist salaries.BaltimoreGermantownMedian Salary$72,694$74,969Entry Level (P10)$45,311$52,558Top Earner (P90)$87,556$112,167US Median $68,141

Verdict

Germantown, MD offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Baltimore.

The salary gap between Baltimore and Germantown is $2,275 (3.13%). Germantown's median is +10.02% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baltimore spans $42,245,Germantown spans $59,609. Germantown has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced surgical technologists.

Baltimore
P10 (Entry)$45,311
P25$63,988
Median$72,694
P75$85,922
P90 (Top)$87,556
Germantown
P10 (Entry)$52,558
P25$62,322
Median$74,969
P75$92,662
P90 (Top)$112,167

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Baltimore ($69,572 effective) pays 1.43% more than Germantown ($68,590 effective).

Baltimore
Nominal: $72,694
CoL Index: 104.487
Adjusted: $69,572
Germantown
Nominal: $74,969
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $68,590

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baltimore if…

  • Larger job market (1,090 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,572)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Germantown if…

  • Higher median salary ($74,969/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($112,167)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Baltimore grew 28.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 7.8% growth in Germantown over the same period.

Baltimore, MD

+28.5%

$53,670 (2019) → $68,970 (2025)

Germantown, MD

+7.8%

$66,012 (2024) → $71,128 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Baltimore or Germantown?

Germantown has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $74,969/year, compared to Baltimore at $72,694/year — a difference of $2,275 (3.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baltimore and Germantown?

Baltimore surgical technologists earn $34.95/hr while Germantown hygienists earn $36.05/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baltimore to Germantown as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baltimore and Germantown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baltimore = $69,572, Germantown = $68,590), job availability (1,090 vs 22 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Baltimore vs Germantown?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $45,311 in Baltimore and $52,558 in Germantown. The Germantown 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