Surg Tech Salary

Fort Wayne vs Granger: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Fort Wayne, IN and Granger, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fort Wayne, IN
$66,550
$31.99/hr
Granger, IN
$63,878
$30.71/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Wayne, INGranger, IN
Median Salary$66,550$63,878
Hourly Rate$31.99$30.71
Entry Level (P10)$60,784$48,468
25th Percentile$66,497$55,616
75th Percentile$83,983$78,032
Top Earner (P90)$83,983$93,151
Total Employed2107
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Wayne ($66,550) and Granger ($63,878) surgical technologist salaries.Fort WayneGrangerMedian Salary$66,550$63,878Entry Level (P10)$60,784$48,468Top Earner (P90)$83,983$93,151US Median $68,141

Verdict

Fort Wayne, IN offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Granger.

The salary gap between Fort Wayne and Granger is $2,672 (4.18%). Fort Wayne's median is -2.33% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Wayne spans $23,199,Granger spans $44,683. Granger has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced surgical technologists.

Fort Wayne
P10 (Entry)$60,784
P25$66,497
Median$66,550
P75$83,983
P90 (Top)$83,983
Granger
P10 (Entry)$48,468
P25$55,616
Median$63,878
P75$78,032
P90 (Top)$93,151

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Wayne ($71,890 effective) pays 2.75% more than Granger ($69,965 effective).

Fort Wayne
Nominal: $66,550
CoL Index: 92.572
Adjusted: $71,890
Granger
Nominal: $63,878
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $69,965

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Wayne if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,550/year)
  • Larger job market (210 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,890)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Granger if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($93,151)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Fort Wayne grew 30.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 28.2% growth in Granger over the same period.

Fort Wayne, IN

+30.7%

$48,310 (2019) → $63,140 (2025)

Granger, IN

+28.2%

$47,278 (2024) → $60,605 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Fort Wayne or Granger?

Fort Wayne has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $66,550/year, compared to Granger at $63,878/year — a difference of $2,672 (4.18%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fort Wayne and Granger?

Fort Wayne surgical technologists earn $31.99/hr while Granger hygienists earn $30.71/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Wayne to Granger as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Wayne and Granger. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Wayne = $71,890, Granger = $69,965), job availability (210 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Fort Wayne vs Granger?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $60,784 in Fort Wayne and $48,468 in Granger. The Fort Wayne 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