Surg Tech Salary

Cincinnati vs Middletown: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Cincinnati, OH
$66,876
$32.16/hr
Middletown, OH
$64,905
$31.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHMiddletown, OH
Median Salary$66,876$64,905
Hourly Rate$32.16$31.21
Entry Level (P10)$51,741$47,449
25th Percentile$64,758$55,182
75th Percentile$82,781$79,398
Top Earner (P90)$86,439$94,832
Total Employed6709
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($66,876) and Middletown ($64,905) surgical technologist salaries.CincinnatiMiddletownMedian Salary$66,876$64,905Entry Level (P10)$51,741$47,449Top Earner (P90)$86,439$94,832US Median $68,141

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Middletown is $1,971 (3.04%). 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 Cincinnati spans $34,698,Middletown spans $47,383. Middletown has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced surgical technologists.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$51,741
P25$64,758
Median$66,876
P75$82,781
P90 (Top)$86,439
Middletown
P10 (Entry)$47,449
P25$55,182
Median$64,905
P75$79,398
P90 (Top)$94,832

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Middletown ($71,560 effective) pays 2.05% more than Cincinnati ($70,123 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $66,876
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $70,123
Middletown
Nominal: $64,905
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $71,560

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,876/year)
  • Larger job market (670 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Middletown if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($94,832)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,560)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Cincinnati grew 33.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 26.9% growth in Middletown over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+33.1%

$47,670 (2019) → $63,450 (2025)

Middletown, OH

+26.9%

$48,544 (2024) → $61,580 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Cincinnati or Middletown?

Cincinnati has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $66,876/year, compared to Middletown at $64,905/year — a difference of $1,971 (3.04%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Middletown?

Cincinnati surgical technologists earn $32.16/hr while Middletown hygienists earn $31.21/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Middletown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $70,123, Middletown = $71,560), job availability (670 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $51,741 in Cincinnati and $47,449 in Middletown. 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