Surg Tech Salary

Canton vs Detroit: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Canton, MI and Detroit, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Canton, MI
$65,239
$31.37/hr
Detroit, MI
$69,364
$33.35/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCanton, MIDetroit, MI
Median Salary$65,239$69,364
Hourly Rate$31.37$33.35
Entry Level (P10)$47,641$49,116
25th Percentile$55,862$60,742
75th Percentile$82,265$82,254
Top Earner (P90)$100,324$83,645
Total Employed251,670
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Canton ($65,239) and Detroit ($69,364) surgical technologist salaries.CantonDetroitMedian Salary$65,239$69,364Entry Level (P10)$47,641$49,116Top Earner (P90)$100,324$83,645US Median $68,141

Verdict

Detroit, MI offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Canton.

The salary gap between Canton and Detroit is $4,125 (6.32%). Detroit's median is +1.79% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Canton spans $52,683,Detroit spans $34,529. Canton has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Canton
P10 (Entry)$47,641
P25$55,862
Median$65,239
P75$82,265
P90 (Top)$100,324
Detroit
P10 (Entry)$49,116
P25$60,742
Median$69,364
P75$82,254
P90 (Top)$83,645

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Canton ($69,999 effective) pays 1.22% more than Detroit ($69,158 effective).

Canton
Nominal: $65,239
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $69,999
Detroit
Nominal: $69,364
CoL Index: 100.298
Adjusted: $69,158

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Canton if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($100,324)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,999)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Detroit if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,364/year)
  • Larger job market (1,670 employed)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Canton grew 21.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 48.4% growth in Detroit over the same period.

Canton, MI

+21.3%

$51,027 (2024) → $61,897 (2025)

Detroit, MI

+48.4%

$44,340 (2019) → $65,810 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Canton or Detroit?

Detroit has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $69,364/year, compared to Canton at $65,239/year — a difference of $4,125 (6.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Canton and Detroit?

Canton surgical technologists earn $31.37/hr while Detroit hygienists earn $33.35/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Canton to Detroit as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Canton and Detroit. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Canton = $69,999, Detroit = $69,158), job availability (25 vs 1,670 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Canton vs Detroit?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $47,641 in Canton and $49,116 in Detroit. The Detroit 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