Surg Tech Salary

Gulfport vs Oxford: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Gulfport, MS and Oxford, MS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Gulfport, MS
$52,826
$25.40/hr
Oxford, MS
$55,713
$26.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGulfport, MSOxford, MS
Median Salary$52,826$55,713
Hourly Rate$25.40$26.78
Entry Level (P10)$44,310$41,751
25th Percentile$52,226$48,166
75th Percentile$59,878$68,970
Top Earner (P90)$63,124$80,562
Total Employed805
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Gulfport ($52,826) and Oxford ($55,713) surgical technologist salaries.GulfportOxfordMedian Salary$52,826$55,713Entry Level (P10)$44,310$41,751Top Earner (P90)$63,124$80,562US Median $68,141

Verdict

Oxford, MS offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Gulfport.

The salary gap between Gulfport and Oxford is $2,887 (5.47%). Oxford's median is -18.24% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Gulfport spans $18,814,Oxford spans $38,811. Oxford has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced surgical technologists.

Gulfport
P10 (Entry)$44,310
P25$52,226
Median$52,826
P75$59,878
P90 (Top)$63,124
Oxford
P10 (Entry)$41,751
P25$48,166
Median$55,713
P75$68,970
P90 (Top)$80,562

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Oxford ($65,009 effective) pays 10.76% more than Gulfport ($58,692 effective).

Gulfport
Nominal: $52,826
CoL Index: 90.006
Adjusted: $58,692
Oxford
Nominal: $55,713
CoL Index: 85.7
Adjusted: $65,009

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Gulfport if…

  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Choose Oxford if…

  • Higher median salary ($55,713/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($80,562)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,009)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Gulfport grew 15.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 46.9% growth in Oxford over the same period.

Gulfport, MS

+15.9%

$43,240 (2019) → $50,120 (2025)

Oxford, MS

+46.9%

$35,975 (2024) → $52,859 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Gulfport or Oxford?

Oxford has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $55,713/year, compared to Gulfport at $52,826/year — a difference of $2,887 (5.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Gulfport and Oxford?

Gulfport surgical technologists earn $25.40/hr while Oxford hygienists earn $26.78/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Gulfport to Oxford as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Gulfport and Oxford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Gulfport = $58,692, Oxford = $65,009), job availability (80 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Gulfport vs Oxford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $44,310 in Gulfport and $41,751 in Oxford. The Gulfport 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