Surg Tech Salary

Holladay vs Salt Lake City: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Holladay, UT and Salt Lake City, UT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Holladay, UT
$68,304
$32.84/hr
Salt Lake City, UT
$69,237
$33.29/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHolladay, UTSalt Lake City, UT
Median Salary$68,304$69,237
Hourly Rate$32.84$33.29
Entry Level (P10)$49,835$48,421
25th Percentile$58,000$55,830
75th Percentile$83,485$81,833
Top Earner (P90)$99,681$94,459
Total Employed7470
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Holladay ($68,304) and Salt Lake City ($69,237) surgical technologist salaries.HolladaySalt Lake CityMedian Salary$68,304$69,237Entry Level (P10)$49,835$48,421Top Earner (P90)$99,681$94,459US Median $68,141

Verdict

Salt Lake City, UT offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Holladay.

The salary gap between Holladay and Salt Lake City is $933 (1.37%). Salt Lake City's median is +1.61% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Holladay spans $49,846,Salt Lake City spans $46,038. Holladay has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Holladay
P10 (Entry)$49,835
P25$58,000
Median$68,304
P75$83,485
P90 (Top)$99,681
Salt Lake City
P10 (Entry)$48,421
P25$55,830
Median$69,237
P75$81,833
P90 (Top)$94,459

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Holladay ($69,627 effective) pays 1.44% more than Salt Lake City ($68,641 effective).

Holladay
Nominal: $68,304
CoL Index: 98.1
Adjusted: $69,627
Salt Lake City
Nominal: $69,237
CoL Index: 100.868
Adjusted: $68,641

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Holladay if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($99,681)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,627)
  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Choose Salt Lake City if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,237/year)
  • Larger job market (470 employed)
  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Holladay grew 19.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 50.7% growth in Salt Lake City over the same period.

Holladay, UT

+19.1%

$54,403 (2024) → $64,805 (2025)

Salt Lake City, UT

+50.7%

$43,590 (2019) → $65,690 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Holladay or Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $69,237/year, compared to Holladay at $68,304/year — a difference of $933 (1.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Holladay and Salt Lake City?

Holladay surgical technologists earn $32.84/hr while Salt Lake City hygienists earn $33.29/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Holladay to Salt Lake City as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Holladay and Salt Lake City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Holladay = $69,627, Salt Lake City = $68,641), job availability (7 vs 470 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Holladay vs Salt Lake City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $49,835 in Holladay and $48,421 in Salt Lake City. The Holladay 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