Surg Tech Salary

Duluth vs Ramsey: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Duluth, MN and Ramsey, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Duluth, MN
$76,267
$36.67/hr
Ramsey, MN
$65,451
$31.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuluth, MNRamsey, MN
Median Salary$76,267$65,451
Hourly Rate$36.67$31.46
Entry Level (P10)$64,905$46,000
25th Percentile$69,828$56,865
75th Percentile$82,549$81,273
Top Earner (P90)$88,346$97,366
Total Employed1107
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duluth ($76,267) and Ramsey ($65,451) surgical technologist salaries.DuluthRamseyMedian Salary$76,267$65,451Entry Level (P10)$64,905$46,000Top Earner (P90)$88,346$97,366US Median $68,141

Verdict

Duluth, MN offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Ramsey.

The salary gap between Duluth and Ramsey is $10,816 (16.53%). Duluth's median is +11.93% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Duluth spans $23,441,Ramsey spans $51,366. Ramsey has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced surgical technologists.

Duluth
P10 (Entry)$64,905
P25$69,828
Median$76,267
P75$82,549
P90 (Top)$88,346
Ramsey
P10 (Entry)$46,000
P25$56,865
Median$65,451
P75$81,273
P90 (Top)$97,366

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($85,917 effective) pays 29.30% more than Ramsey ($66,448 effective).

Duluth
Nominal: $76,267
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $85,917
Ramsey
Nominal: $65,451
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $66,448

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Duluth if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,267/year)
  • Larger job market (110 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $85,917)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Ramsey if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($97,366)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Duluth grew 26.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.0% growth in Ramsey over the same period.

Duluth, MN

+26.2%

$57,360 (2019) → $72,360 (2025)

Ramsey, MN

+1.0%

$61,474 (2024) → $62,098 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Duluth or Ramsey?

Duluth has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $76,267/year, compared to Ramsey at $65,451/year — a difference of $10,816 (16.53%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duluth and Ramsey?

Duluth surgical technologists earn $36.67/hr while Ramsey hygienists earn $31.46/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Duluth to Ramsey as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duluth and Ramsey. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duluth = $85,917, Ramsey = $66,448), job availability (110 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Duluth vs Ramsey?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $64,905 in Duluth and $46,000 in Ramsey. The Duluth 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