Surg Tech Salary

Hannibal vs St. Louis: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Hannibal, MO and St. Louis, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hannibal, MO
$59,443
$28.57/hr
St. Louis, MO
$65,127
$31.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHannibal, MOSt. Louis, MO
Median Salary$59,443$65,127
Hourly Rate$28.57$31.31
Entry Level (P10)$45,840$48,800
25th Percentile$52,062$53,554
75th Percentile$71,091$73,316
Top Earner (P90)$83,084$81,348
Total Employed4810
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hannibal ($59,443) and St. Louis ($65,127) surgical technologist salaries.HannibalSt. LouisMedian Salary$59,443$65,127Entry Level (P10)$45,840$48,800Top Earner (P90)$83,084$81,348US Median $68,141

Verdict

St. Louis, MO offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Hannibal.

The salary gap between Hannibal and St. Louis is $5,684 (9.56%). St. Louis's median is -4.42% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hannibal spans $37,244,St. Louis spans $32,548. Hannibal has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Hannibal
P10 (Entry)$45,840
P25$52,062
Median$59,443
P75$71,091
P90 (Top)$83,084
St. Louis
P10 (Entry)$48,800
P25$53,554
Median$65,127
P75$73,316
P90 (Top)$81,348

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Louis ($68,491 effective) pays 3.24% more than Hannibal ($66,343 effective).

Hannibal
Nominal: $59,443
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $66,343
St. Louis
Nominal: $65,127
CoL Index: 95.088
Adjusted: $68,491

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hannibal if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($83,084)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose St. Louis if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,127/year)
  • Larger job market (810 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,491)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Hannibal grew 31.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 43.2% growth in St. Louis over the same period.

Hannibal, MO

+31.2%

$42,992 (2024) → $56,398 (2025)

St. Louis, MO

+43.2%

$43,150 (2019) → $61,790 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Hannibal or St. Louis?

St. Louis has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $65,127/year, compared to Hannibal at $59,443/year — a difference of $5,684 (9.56%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hannibal and St. Louis?

Hannibal surgical technologists earn $28.57/hr while St. Louis hygienists earn $31.31/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hannibal to St. Louis as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hannibal and St. Louis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hannibal = $66,343, St. Louis = $68,491), job availability (4 vs 810 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Hannibal vs St. Louis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $45,840 in Hannibal and $48,800 in St. Louis. The St. Louis 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