Surg Tech Salary

Gladstone vs Springfield: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Gladstone, MO and Springfield, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Gladstone, MO
$61,570
$29.60/hr
Springfield, MO
$64,420
$30.98/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGladstone, MOSpringfield, MO
Median Salary$61,570$64,420
Hourly Rate$29.60$30.98
Entry Level (P10)$46,384$37,881
25th Percentile$53,361$54,376
75th Percentile$76,302$77,037
Top Earner (P90)$91,574$84,320
Total Employed7320
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Gladstone ($61,570) and Springfield ($64,420) surgical technologist salaries.GladstoneSpringfieldMedian Salary$61,570$64,420Entry Level (P10)$46,384$37,881Top Earner (P90)$91,574$84,320US Median $68,141

Verdict

Springfield, MO offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Gladstone.

The salary gap between Gladstone and Springfield is $2,850 (4.63%). Springfield's median is -5.46% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Gladstone spans $45,190,Springfield spans $46,439. Springfield has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced surgical technologists.

Gladstone
P10 (Entry)$46,384
P25$53,361
Median$61,570
P75$76,302
P90 (Top)$91,574
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$37,881
P25$54,376
Median$64,420
P75$77,037
P90 (Top)$84,320

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($72,721 effective) pays 5.83% more than Gladstone ($68,717 effective).

Gladstone
Nominal: $61,570
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $68,717
Springfield
Nominal: $64,420
CoL Index: 88.585
Adjusted: $72,721

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Gladstone if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($91,574)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,420/year)
  • Larger job market (320 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,721)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Gladstone grew 31.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 48.2% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Gladstone, MO

+31.2%

$44,531 (2024) → $58,416 (2025)

Springfield, MO

+48.2%

$41,230 (2019) → $61,120 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Gladstone or Springfield?

Springfield has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $64,420/year, compared to Gladstone at $61,570/year — a difference of $2,850 (4.63%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Gladstone and Springfield?

Gladstone surgical technologists earn $29.60/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $30.98/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Gladstone to Springfield as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Gladstone and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Gladstone = $68,717, Springfield = $72,721), job availability (7 vs 320 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Gladstone vs Springfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $46,384 in Gladstone and $37,881 in Springfield. The Gladstone 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