Surg Tech Salary

Columbus vs Strongsville: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Columbus, OH
$67,582
$32.49/hr
Strongsville, OH
$63,767
$30.66/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbus, OHStrongsville, OH
Median Salary$67,582$63,767
Hourly Rate$32.49$30.66
Entry Level (P10)$52,816$44,463
25th Percentile$64,041$55,290
75th Percentile$82,750$79,049
Top Earner (P90)$89,221$94,880
Total Employed7508
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbus ($67,582) and Strongsville ($63,767) surgical technologist salaries.ColumbusStrongsvilleMedian Salary$67,582$63,767Entry Level (P10)$52,816$44,463Top Earner (P90)$89,221$94,880US Median $68,141

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Columbus and Strongsville is $3,815 (5.98%). Columbus's median is -0.82% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Columbus spans $36,405,Strongsville spans $50,417. Strongsville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced surgical technologists.

Columbus
P10 (Entry)$52,816
P25$64,041
Median$67,582
P75$82,750
P90 (Top)$89,221
Strongsville
P10 (Entry)$44,463
P25$55,290
Median$63,767
P75$79,049
P90 (Top)$94,880

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Columbus ($70,789 effective) pays 0.69% more than Strongsville ($70,305 effective).

Columbus
Nominal: $67,582
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $70,789
Strongsville
Nominal: $63,767
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $70,305

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Columbus if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,582/year)
  • Larger job market (750 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,789)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Strongsville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($94,880)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Columbus grew 36.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 26.9% growth in Strongsville over the same period.

Columbus, OH

+36.8%

$46,880 (2019) → $64,120 (2025)

Strongsville, OH

+26.9%

$47,693 (2024) → $60,500 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Columbus or Strongsville?

Columbus has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $67,582/year, compared to Strongsville at $63,767/year — a difference of $3,815 (5.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbus and Strongsville?

Columbus surgical technologists earn $32.49/hr while Strongsville hygienists earn $30.66/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Columbus to Strongsville as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbus and Strongsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbus = $70,789, Strongsville = $70,305), job availability (750 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Columbus vs Strongsville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $52,816 in Columbus and $44,463 in Strongsville. The Columbus 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