Surg Tech Salary

Greenville vs Myrtle Beach: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Greenville, SC and Myrtle Beach, SC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Greenville, SC
$66,455
$31.95/hr
Myrtle Beach, SC
$51,425
$24.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGreenville, SCMyrtle Beach, SC
Median Salary$66,455$51,425
Hourly Rate$31.95$24.73
Entry Level (P10)$55,240$37,122
25th Percentile$57,506$37,122
75th Percentile$68,468$68,805
Top Earner (P90)$77,068$79,271
Total Employed510310
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Greenville ($66,455) and Myrtle Beach ($51,425) surgical technologist salaries.GreenvilleMyrtle BeachMedian Salary$66,455$51,425Entry Level (P10)$55,240$37,122Top Earner (P90)$77,068$79,271US Median $68,141

Verdict

Greenville, SC offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Myrtle Beach.

The salary gap between Greenville and Myrtle Beach is $15,030 (29.23%). Greenville's median is -2.47% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Greenville spans $21,828,Myrtle Beach spans $42,149. Myrtle Beach has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced surgical technologists.

Greenville
P10 (Entry)$55,240
P25$57,506
Median$66,455
P75$68,468
P90 (Top)$77,068
Myrtle Beach
P10 (Entry)$37,122
P25$37,122
Median$51,425
P75$68,805
P90 (Top)$79,271

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Greenville ($71,258 effective) pays 29.76% more than Myrtle Beach ($54,917 effective).

Greenville
Nominal: $66,455
CoL Index: 93.26
Adjusted: $71,258
Myrtle Beach
Nominal: $51,425
CoL Index: 93.642
Adjusted: $54,917

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Greenville if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,455/year)
  • Larger job market (510 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,258)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Myrtle Beach if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($79,271)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Greenville grew 54.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 29.5% growth in Myrtle Beach over the same period.

Greenville, SC

+54.8%

$40,720 (2019) → $63,050 (2025)

Myrtle Beach, SC

+29.5%

$37,670 (2019) → $48,790 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Greenville or Myrtle Beach?

Greenville has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $66,455/year, compared to Myrtle Beach at $51,425/year — a difference of $15,030 (29.23%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Greenville and Myrtle Beach?

Greenville surgical technologists earn $31.95/hr while Myrtle Beach hygienists earn $24.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Greenville to Myrtle Beach as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Greenville and Myrtle Beach. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Greenville = $71,258, Myrtle Beach = $54,917), job availability (510 vs 310 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Greenville vs Myrtle Beach?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $55,240 in Greenville and $37,122 in Myrtle Beach. The Greenville 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