Surg Tech Salary

Cherry Hill vs Newark: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Cherry Hill, NJ
$76,262
$36.67/hr
Newark, NJ
$88,793
$42.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCherry Hill, NJNewark, NJ
Median Salary$76,262$88,793
Hourly Rate$36.67$42.69
Entry Level (P10)$54,928$57,217
25th Percentile$64,729$75,646
75th Percentile$93,924$113,655
Top Earner (P90)$113,540$137,629
Total Employed1161
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cherry Hill ($76,262) and Newark ($88,793) surgical technologist salaries.Cherry HillNewarkMedian Salary$76,262$88,793Entry Level (P10)$54,928$57,217Top Earner (P90)$113,540$137,629US Median $68,141

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cherry Hill and Newark is $12,531 (16.43%). Newark's median is +30.31% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cherry Hill spans $58,612,Newark spans $80,412. Newark has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced surgical technologists.

Cherry Hill
P10 (Entry)$54,928
P25$64,729
Median$76,262
P75$93,924
P90 (Top)$113,540
Newark
P10 (Entry)$57,217
P25$75,646
Median$88,793
P75$113,655
P90 (Top)$137,629

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Newark ($77,077 effective) pays 16.43% more than Cherry Hill ($66,200 effective).

Cherry Hill
Nominal: $76,262
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $66,200
Newark
Nominal: $88,793
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $77,077

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cherry Hill if…

  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Newark if…

  • Higher median salary ($88,793/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($137,629)
  • Larger job market (61 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,077)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Cherry Hill grew 4.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 12.2% growth in Newark over the same period.

Cherry Hill, NJ

+4.3%

$69,389 (2024) → $72,355 (2025)

Newark, NJ

+12.2%

$75,106 (2024) → $84,244 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Cherry Hill or Newark?

Newark has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $88,793/year, compared to Cherry Hill at $76,262/year — a difference of $12,531 (16.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cherry Hill and Newark?

Cherry Hill surgical technologists earn $36.67/hr while Newark hygienists earn $42.69/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cherry Hill and Newark. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cherry Hill = $66,200, Newark = $77,077), job availability (11 vs 61 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $54,928 in Cherry Hill and $57,217 in Newark. The Newark 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