Surg Tech Salary

Hagerstown vs Towson: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Hagerstown, MD and Towson, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hagerstown, MD
$59,003
$28.36/hr
Towson, MD
$72,412
$34.81/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHagerstown, MDTowson, MD
Median Salary$59,003$72,412
Hourly Rate$28.36$34.81
Entry Level (P10)$42,402$54,167
25th Percentile$56,568$62,747
75th Percentile$68,162$90,580
Top Earner (P90)$80,895$109,767
Total Employed6011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hagerstown ($59,003) and Towson ($72,412) surgical technologist salaries.HagerstownTowsonMedian Salary$59,003$72,412Entry Level (P10)$42,402$54,167Top Earner (P90)$80,895$109,767US Median $68,141

Verdict

Towson, MD offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Hagerstown.

The salary gap between Hagerstown and Towson is $13,409 (22.73%). Towson's median is +6.27% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hagerstown spans $38,493,Towson spans $55,600. Towson has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced surgical technologists.

Hagerstown
P10 (Entry)$42,402
P25$56,568
Median$59,003
P75$68,162
P90 (Top)$80,895
Towson
P10 (Entry)$54,167
P25$62,747
Median$72,412
P75$90,580
P90 (Top)$109,767

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Towson ($66,251 effective) pays 5.74% more than Hagerstown ($62,655 effective).

Hagerstown
Nominal: $59,003
CoL Index: 94.171
Adjusted: $62,655
Towson
Nominal: $72,412
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $66,251

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hagerstown if…

  • Larger job market (60 employed)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Towson if…

  • Higher median salary ($72,412/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($109,767)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,251)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Hagerstown grew 39.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 6.2% growth in Towson over the same period.

Hagerstown, MD

+39.7%

$40,060 (2019) → $55,980 (2025)

Towson, MD

+6.2%

$64,672 (2024) → $68,702 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Hagerstown or Towson?

Towson has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $72,412/year, compared to Hagerstown at $59,003/year — a difference of $13,409 (22.73%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hagerstown and Towson?

Hagerstown surgical technologists earn $28.36/hr while Towson hygienists earn $34.81/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hagerstown to Towson as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hagerstown and Towson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hagerstown = $62,655, Towson = $66,251), job availability (60 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Hagerstown vs Towson?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $42,402 in Hagerstown and $54,167 in Towson. The Towson 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