Surg Tech Salary

Haverhill vs Worcester: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Haverhill, MA and Worcester, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Haverhill, MA
$83,000
$39.90/hr
Worcester, MA
$81,801
$39.32/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHaverhill, MAWorcester, MA
Median Salary$83,000$81,801
Hourly Rate$39.90$39.32
Entry Level (P10)$57,370$61,923
25th Percentile$68,640$73,506
75th Percentile$102,231$102,122
Top Earner (P90)$120,558$103,281
Total Employed16210
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Haverhill ($83,000) and Worcester ($81,801) surgical technologist salaries.HaverhillWorcesterMedian Salary$83,000$81,801Entry Level (P10)$57,370$61,923Top Earner (P90)$120,558$103,281US Median $68,141

Verdict

Haverhill, MA offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Worcester.

The salary gap between Haverhill and Worcester is $1,199 (1.47%). Haverhill's median is +21.81% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Haverhill spans $63,188,Worcester spans $41,358. Haverhill has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Haverhill
P10 (Entry)$57,370
P25$68,640
Median$83,000
P75$102,231
P90 (Top)$120,558
Worcester
P10 (Entry)$61,923
P25$73,506
Median$81,801
P75$102,122
P90 (Top)$103,281

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Worcester ($79,788 effective) pays 4.30% more than Haverhill ($76,498 effective).

Haverhill
Nominal: $83,000
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $76,498
Worcester
Nominal: $81,801
CoL Index: 102.523
Adjusted: $79,788

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Haverhill if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,000/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($120,558)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Worcester if…

  • Larger job market (210 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,788)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Haverhill grew 6.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 43.8% growth in Worcester over the same period.

Haverhill, MA

+6.4%

$74,003 (2024) → $78,748 (2025)

Worcester, MA

+43.8%

$53,980 (2019) → $77,610 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Haverhill or Worcester?

Haverhill has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $83,000/year, compared to Worcester at $81,801/year — a difference of $1,199 (1.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Haverhill and Worcester?

Haverhill surgical technologists earn $39.90/hr while Worcester hygienists earn $39.32/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Haverhill to Worcester as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Haverhill and Worcester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Haverhill = $76,498, Worcester = $79,788), job availability (16 vs 210 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Haverhill vs Worcester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $57,370 in Haverhill and $61,923 in Worcester. The Worcester 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