Surg Tech Salary

Elmira vs New York: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Elmira, NY and New York, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Elmira, NY
$69,565
$33.44/hr
New York, NY
$88,662
$42.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricElmira, NYNew York, NY
Median Salary$69,565$88,662
Hourly Rate$33.44$42.62
Entry Level (P10)$51,315$61,986
25th Percentile$59,484$76,731
75th Percentile$84,032$105,179
Top Earner (P90)$99,545$110,438
Total Employed66,320
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Elmira ($69,565) and New York ($88,662) surgical technologist salaries.ElmiraNew YorkMedian Salary$69,565$88,662Entry Level (P10)$51,315$61,986Top Earner (P90)$99,545$110,438US Median $68,141

Verdict

New York, NY offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Elmira.

The salary gap between Elmira and New York is $19,097 (27.45%). New York's median is +30.12% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Elmira spans $48,230,New York spans $48,452. New York has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced surgical technologists.

Elmira
P10 (Entry)$51,315
P25$59,484
Median$69,565
P75$84,032
P90 (Top)$99,545
New York
P10 (Entry)$61,986
P25$76,731
Median$88,662
P75$105,179
P90 (Top)$110,438

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New York ($78,767 effective) pays 31.23% more than Elmira ($60,022 effective).

Elmira
Nominal: $69,565
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $60,022
New York
Nominal: $88,662
CoL Index: 112.563
Adjusted: $78,767

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Elmira if…

  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose New York if…

  • Higher median salary ($88,662/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($110,438)
  • Larger job market (6,320 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $78,767)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Elmira grew 26.5% from 2022 to 2025, compared to 44.6% growth in New York over the same period.

Elmira, NY

+26.5%

$52,190 (2022) → $66,001 (2025)

New York, NY

+44.6%

$58,190 (2019) → $84,120 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Elmira or New York?

New York has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $88,662/year, compared to Elmira at $69,565/year — a difference of $19,097 (27.45%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Elmira and New York?

Elmira surgical technologists earn $33.44/hr while New York hygienists earn $42.62/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Elmira to New York as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Elmira and New York. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Elmira = $60,022, New York = $78,767), job availability (6 vs 6,320 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Elmira vs New York?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $51,315 in Elmira and $61,986 in New York. The New York 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