Surg Tech Salary

Cleveland vs Oxford: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$65,485
$31.48/hr
Oxford, OH
$61,790
$29.70/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHOxford, OH
Median Salary$65,485$61,790
Hourly Rate$31.48$29.70
Entry Level (P10)$48,147$44,653
25th Percentile$58,212$55,812
75th Percentile$76,457$73,160
Top Earner (P90)$84,352$88,937
Total Employed7506
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($65,485) and Oxford ($61,790) surgical technologist salaries.ClevelandOxfordMedian Salary$65,485$61,790Entry Level (P10)$48,147$44,653Top Earner (P90)$84,352$88,937US Median $68,141

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and Oxford is $3,695 (5.98%). Cleveland's median is -3.90% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland spans $36,205,Oxford spans $44,284. Oxford has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced surgical technologists.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$48,147
P25$58,212
Median$65,485
P75$76,457
P90 (Top)$84,352
Oxford
P10 (Entry)$44,653
P25$55,812
Median$61,790
P75$73,160
P90 (Top)$88,937

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($69,722 effective) pays 2.34% more than Oxford ($68,126 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $65,485
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $69,722
Oxford
Nominal: $61,790
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $68,126

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,485/year)
  • Larger job market (750 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,722)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Oxford if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($88,937)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Cleveland grew 29.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 26.9% growth in Oxford over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+29.3%

$48,060 (2019) → $62,130 (2025)

Oxford, OH

+26.9%

$46,214 (2024) → $58,624 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Cleveland or Oxford?

Cleveland has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $65,485/year, compared to Oxford at $61,790/year — a difference of $3,695 (5.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Oxford?

Cleveland surgical technologists earn $31.48/hr while Oxford hygienists earn $29.70/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Oxford as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Oxford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $69,722, Oxford = $68,126), job availability (750 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Cleveland vs Oxford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $48,147 in Cleveland and $44,653 in Oxford. The Cleveland 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