Surg Tech Salary

College Park vs Salisbury: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between College Park, MD and Salisbury, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

College Park, MD
$72,703
$34.95/hr
Salisbury, MD
$61,322
$29.48/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCollege Park, MDSalisbury, MD
Median Salary$72,703$61,322
Hourly Rate$34.95$29.48
Entry Level (P10)$50,991$50,033
25th Percentile$60,444$57,622
75th Percentile$90,338$61,933
Top Earner (P90)$108,526$77,933
Total Employed680
Side-by-side bar chart comparing College Park ($72,703) and Salisbury ($61,322) surgical technologist salaries.College ParkSalisburyMedian Salary$72,703$61,322Entry Level (P10)$50,991$50,033Top Earner (P90)$108,526$77,933US Median $68,141

Verdict

College Park, MD offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Salisbury.

The salary gap between College Park and Salisbury is $11,381 (18.56%). College Park's median is +6.69% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in College Park spans $57,535,Salisbury spans $27,900. College Park has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

College Park
P10 (Entry)$50,991
P25$60,444
Median$72,703
P75$90,338
P90 (Top)$108,526
Salisbury
P10 (Entry)$50,033
P25$57,622
Median$61,322
P75$61,933
P90 (Top)$77,933

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, College Park ($66,517 effective) pays 3.72% more than Salisbury ($64,133 effective).

College Park
Nominal: $72,703
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $66,517
Salisbury
Nominal: $61,322
CoL Index: 95.617
Adjusted: $64,133

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose College Park if…

  • Higher median salary ($72,703/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($108,526)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,517)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Salisbury if…

  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in College Park grew 7.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 37.3% growth in Salisbury over the same period.

College Park, MD

+7.7%

$64,017 (2024) → $68,978 (2025)

Salisbury, MD

+37.3%

$42,360 (2019) → $58,180 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: College Park or Salisbury?

College Park has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $72,703/year, compared to Salisbury at $61,322/year — a difference of $11,381 (18.56%).

What is the hourly rate difference between College Park and Salisbury?

College Park surgical technologists earn $34.95/hr while Salisbury hygienists earn $29.48/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from College Park to Salisbury as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing College Park and Salisbury. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: College Park = $66,517, Salisbury = $64,133), job availability (6 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in College Park vs Salisbury?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $50,991 in College Park and $50,033 in Salisbury. The College Park 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