Surg Tech Salary

Evansville vs Plainfield: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Evansville, IN and Plainfield, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Evansville, IN
$67,688
$32.55/hr
Plainfield, IN
$65,827
$31.65/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEvansville, INPlainfield, IN
Median Salary$67,688$65,827
Hourly Rate$32.55$31.65
Entry Level (P10)$57,127$47,514
25th Percentile$65,875$58,269
75th Percentile$81,811$78,870
Top Earner (P90)$85,237$93,459
Total Employed1807
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Evansville ($67,688) and Plainfield ($65,827) surgical technologist salaries.EvansvillePlainfieldMedian Salary$67,688$65,827Entry Level (P10)$57,127$47,514Top Earner (P90)$85,237$93,459US Median $68,141

Verdict

Evansville, IN offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Plainfield.

The salary gap between Evansville and Plainfield is $1,861 (2.83%). Evansville's median is -0.66% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Evansville spans $28,110,Plainfield spans $45,945. Plainfield has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced surgical technologists.

Evansville
P10 (Entry)$57,127
P25$65,875
Median$67,688
P75$81,811
P90 (Top)$85,237
Plainfield
P10 (Entry)$47,514
P25$58,269
Median$65,827
P75$78,870
P90 (Top)$93,459

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Evansville ($73,953 effective) pays 2.57% more than Plainfield ($72,100 effective).

Evansville
Nominal: $67,688
CoL Index: 91.528
Adjusted: $73,953
Plainfield
Nominal: $65,827
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $72,100

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Evansville if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,688/year)
  • Larger job market (180 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,953)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Plainfield if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($93,459)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Evansville grew 38.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 28.2% growth in Plainfield over the same period.

Evansville, IN

+38.3%

$46,420 (2019) → $64,220 (2025)

Plainfield, IN

+28.2%

$48,720 (2024) → $62,454 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Evansville or Plainfield?

Evansville has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $67,688/year, compared to Plainfield at $65,827/year — a difference of $1,861 (2.83%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Evansville and Plainfield?

Evansville surgical technologists earn $32.55/hr while Plainfield hygienists earn $31.65/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Evansville to Plainfield as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Evansville and Plainfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Evansville = $73,953, Plainfield = $72,100), job availability (180 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Evansville vs Plainfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $57,127 in Evansville and $47,514 in Plainfield. The Evansville area offers higher starting salaries.
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