Surg Tech Salary

Dundalk vs Salisbury: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Dundalk, MD
$71,937
$34.58/hr
Salisbury, MD
$61,322
$29.48/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDundalk, MDSalisbury, MD
Median Salary$71,937$61,322
Hourly Rate$34.58$29.48
Entry Level (P10)$51,454$50,033
25th Percentile$60,567$57,622
75th Percentile$89,681$61,933
Top Earner (P90)$106,283$77,933
Total Employed1080
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dundalk ($71,937) and Salisbury ($61,322) surgical technologist salaries.DundalkSalisburyMedian Salary$71,937$61,322Entry Level (P10)$51,454$50,033Top Earner (P90)$106,283$77,933US Median $68,141

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Dundalk and Salisbury is $10,615 (17.31%). Dundalk's median is +5.57% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dundalk spans $54,829,Salisbury spans $27,900. Dundalk has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Dundalk
P10 (Entry)$51,454
P25$60,567
Median$71,937
P75$89,681
P90 (Top)$106,283
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, Dundalk ($65,816 effective) pays 2.62% more than Salisbury ($64,133 effective).

Dundalk
Nominal: $71,937
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $65,816
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 Dundalk if…

  • Higher median salary ($71,937/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($106,283)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,816)
  • 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 Dundalk grew 7.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 37.3% growth in Salisbury over the same period.

Dundalk, MD

+7.7%

$63,343 (2024) → $68,251 (2025)

Salisbury, MD

+37.3%

$42,360 (2019) → $58,180 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Dundalk or Salisbury?

Dundalk has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $71,937/year, compared to Salisbury at $61,322/year — a difference of $10,615 (17.31%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dundalk and Salisbury?

Dundalk surgical technologists earn $34.58/hr while Salisbury hygienists earn $29.48/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dundalk to Salisbury as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dundalk and Salisbury. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dundalk = $65,816, Salisbury = $64,133), job availability (10 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $51,454 in Dundalk and $50,033 in Salisbury. The Dundalk 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