Florence vs Louisville/Jefferson County: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)
Compare surgical technologist salaries between Florence, KY and Louisville/Jefferson County, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Florence, KY | Louisville/Jefferson County, KY |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $60,296 | $67,024▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $28.99 | $32.22▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,056 | $51,973▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $51,247 | $65,285▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $72,442 | $82,117▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $85,936 | $95,440▲ |
| Total Employed | 7 | 540▲ |
Verdict
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Florence.
The salary gap between Florence and Louisville/Jefferson County is $6,728 (11.16%). Louisville/Jefferson County's median is -1.64% compared to the US national median of $68,141.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Florence spans $41,880,Louisville/Jefferson County spans $43,467. Louisville/Jefferson County has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced surgical technologists.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville/Jefferson County ($72,012 effective) pays 6.65% more than Florence ($67,521 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Florence if…
- ✓You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle
Choose Louisville/Jefferson County if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($67,024/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($95,440)
- ✓Larger job market (540 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,012)
- ✓You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Florence grew 29.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 43.0% growth in Louisville/Jefferson County over the same period.
Florence, KY
$44,244 (2024) → $57,207 (2025)
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
$44,460 (2019) → $63,590 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Florence, KY
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays surgical technologists more: Florence or Louisville/Jefferson County?
What is the hourly rate difference between Florence and Louisville/Jefferson County?
Should I relocate from Florence to Louisville/Jefferson County as a surgical technologist?
What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Florence vs Louisville/Jefferson County?
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.
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