Surg Tech Salary

Edinburg vs San Antonio: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Edinburg, TX and San Antonio, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Edinburg, TX
$63,603
$30.58/hr
San Antonio, TX
$49,348
$23.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEdinburg, TXSan Antonio, TX
Median Salary$63,603$49,348
Hourly Rate$30.58$23.73
Entry Level (P10)$44,633$42,107
25th Percentile$53,047$46,102
75th Percentile$80,105$77,722
Top Earner (P90)$95,891$82,992
Total Employed221,390
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Edinburg ($63,603) and San Antonio ($49,348) surgical technologist salaries.EdinburgSan AntonioMedian Salary$63,603$49,348Entry Level (P10)$44,633$42,107Top Earner (P90)$95,891$82,992US Median $68,141

Verdict

Edinburg, TX offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to San Antonio.

The salary gap between Edinburg and San Antonio is $14,255 (28.89%). Edinburg's median is -6.66% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Edinburg spans $51,258,San Antonio spans $40,885. Edinburg has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Edinburg
P10 (Entry)$44,633
P25$53,047
Median$63,603
P75$80,105
P90 (Top)$95,891
San Antonio
P10 (Entry)$42,107
P25$46,102
Median$49,348
P75$77,722
P90 (Top)$82,992

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Edinburg ($66,253 effective) pays 27.16% more than San Antonio ($52,101 effective).

Edinburg
Nominal: $63,603
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $66,253
San Antonio
Nominal: $49,348
CoL Index: 94.716
Adjusted: $52,101

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Edinburg if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,603/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($95,891)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,253)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose San Antonio if…

  • Larger job market (1,390 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Edinburg grew 13.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 23.0% growth in San Antonio over the same period.

Edinburg, TX

+13.9%

$52,992 (2024) → $60,344 (2025)

San Antonio, TX

+23.0%

$38,080 (2019) → $46,820 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Edinburg or San Antonio?

Edinburg has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $63,603/year, compared to San Antonio at $49,348/year — a difference of $14,255 (28.89%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Edinburg and San Antonio?

Edinburg surgical technologists earn $30.58/hr while San Antonio hygienists earn $23.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Edinburg to San Antonio as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Edinburg and San Antonio. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Edinburg = $66,253, San Antonio = $52,101), job availability (22 vs 1,390 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Edinburg vs San Antonio?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $44,633 in Edinburg and $42,107 in San Antonio. The Edinburg 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