Surg Tech Salary

Houston vs Missouri City: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Houston, TX and Missouri City, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Houston, TX
$74,887
$36.00/hr
Missouri City, TX
$66,219
$31.83/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXMissouri City, TX
Median Salary$74,887$66,219
Hourly Rate$36.00$31.83
Entry Level (P10)$49,485$45,864
25th Percentile$60,342$54,628
75th Percentile$87,187$79,979
Top Earner (P90)$99,782$102,582
Total Employed2,66012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($74,887) and Missouri City ($66,219) surgical technologist salaries.HoustonMissouri CityMedian Salary$74,887$66,219Entry Level (P10)$49,485$45,864Top Earner (P90)$99,782$102,582US Median $68,141

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Missouri City.

The salary gap between Houston and Missouri City is $8,668 (13.09%). Houston's median is +9.90% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $50,297,Missouri City spans $56,718. Missouri City has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced surgical technologists.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$49,485
P25$60,342
Median$74,887
P75$87,187
P90 (Top)$99,782
Missouri City
P10 (Entry)$45,864
P25$54,628
Median$66,219
P75$79,979
P90 (Top)$102,582

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($75,928 effective) pays 10.08% more than Missouri City ($68,978 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $74,887
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $75,928
Missouri City
Nominal: $66,219
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $68,978

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($74,887/year)
  • Larger job market (2,660 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $75,928)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Missouri City if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($102,582)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Houston grew 31.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 16.7% growth in Missouri City over the same period.

Houston, TX

+31.3%

$54,110 (2019) → $71,050 (2025)

Missouri City, TX

+16.7%

$53,833 (2024) → $62,826 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Houston or Missouri City?

Houston has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $74,887/year, compared to Missouri City at $66,219/year — a difference of $8,668 (13.09%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Missouri City?

Houston surgical technologists earn $36.00/hr while Missouri City hygienists earn $31.83/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Missouri City as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Missouri City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $75,928, Missouri City = $68,978), job availability (2,660 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Houston vs Missouri City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $49,485 in Houston and $45,864 in Missouri City. The Houston 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