Surg Tech Salary

Grapevine vs Houston: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Grapevine, TX and Houston, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Grapevine, TX
$64,186
$30.86/hr
Houston, TX
$74,887
$36.00/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGrapevine, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$64,186$74,887
Hourly Rate$30.86$36.00
Entry Level (P10)$46,403$49,485
25th Percentile$54,412$60,342
75th Percentile$80,389$87,187
Top Earner (P90)$97,790$99,782
Total Employed122,660
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Grapevine ($64,186) and Houston ($74,887) surgical technologist salaries.GrapevineHoustonMedian Salary$64,186$74,887Entry Level (P10)$46,403$49,485Top Earner (P90)$97,790$99,782US Median $68,141

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Grapevine.

The salary gap between Grapevine and Houston is $10,701 (16.67%). Houston's median is +9.90% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Grapevine spans $51,387,Houston spans $50,297. Grapevine has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Grapevine
P10 (Entry)$46,403
P25$54,412
Median$64,186
P75$80,389
P90 (Top)$97,790
Houston
P10 (Entry)$49,485
P25$60,342
Median$74,887
P75$87,187
P90 (Top)$99,782

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($75,928 effective) pays 13.56% more than Grapevine ($66,860 effective).

Grapevine
Nominal: $64,186
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $66,860
Houston
Nominal: $74,887
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $75,928

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Grapevine if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($74,887/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($99,782)
  • Larger job market (2,660 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $75,928)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Grapevine grew 16.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 31.3% growth in Houston over the same period.

Grapevine, TX

+16.7%

$52,181 (2024) → $60,898 (2025)

Houston, TX

+31.3%

$54,110 (2019) → $71,050 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Grapevine or Houston?

Houston has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $74,887/year, compared to Grapevine at $64,186/year — a difference of $10,701 (16.67%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Grapevine and Houston?

Grapevine surgical technologists earn $30.86/hr while Houston hygienists earn $36.00/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Grapevine to Houston as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Grapevine and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Grapevine = $66,860, Houston = $75,928), job availability (12 vs 2,660 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Grapevine vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $46,403 in Grapevine and $49,485 in Houston. The Houston 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