Surg Tech Salary

Chillicothe vs Cincinnati: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Chillicothe, OH and Cincinnati, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chillicothe, OH
$61,657
$29.64/hr
Cincinnati, OH
$66,876
$32.16/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChillicothe, OHCincinnati, OH
Median Salary$61,657$66,876
Hourly Rate$29.64$32.16
Entry Level (P10)$44,129$51,741
25th Percentile$55,528$64,758
75th Percentile$75,081$82,781
Top Earner (P90)$88,644$86,439
Total Employed6670
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chillicothe ($61,657) and Cincinnati ($66,876) surgical technologist salaries.ChillicotheCincinnatiMedian Salary$61,657$66,876Entry Level (P10)$44,129$51,741Top Earner (P90)$88,644$86,439US Median $68,141

Verdict

Cincinnati, OH offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Chillicothe.

The salary gap between Chillicothe and Cincinnati is $5,219 (8.46%). Cincinnati's median is -1.86% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chillicothe spans $44,515,Cincinnati spans $34,698. Chillicothe has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Chillicothe
P10 (Entry)$44,129
P25$55,528
Median$61,657
P75$75,081
P90 (Top)$88,644
Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$51,741
P25$64,758
Median$66,876
P75$82,781
P90 (Top)$86,439

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cincinnati ($70,123 effective) pays 3.15% more than Chillicothe ($67,979 effective).

Chillicothe
Nominal: $61,657
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $67,979
Cincinnati
Nominal: $66,876
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $70,123

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chillicothe if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($88,644)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,876/year)
  • Larger job market (670 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,123)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Chillicothe grew 26.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 33.1% growth in Cincinnati over the same period.

Chillicothe, OH

+26.9%

$46,115 (2024) → $58,498 (2025)

Cincinnati, OH

+33.1%

$47,670 (2019) → $63,450 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Chillicothe or Cincinnati?

Cincinnati has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $66,876/year, compared to Chillicothe at $61,657/year — a difference of $5,219 (8.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chillicothe and Cincinnati?

Chillicothe surgical technologists earn $29.64/hr while Cincinnati hygienists earn $32.16/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chillicothe to Cincinnati as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chillicothe and Cincinnati. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chillicothe = $67,979, Cincinnati = $70,123), job availability (6 vs 670 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Chillicothe vs Cincinnati?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $44,129 in Chillicothe and $51,741 in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati 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