Surg Tech Salary

Irvington vs Newark: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Irvington, NJ and Newark, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Irvington, NJ
$78,233
$37.62/hr
Newark, NJ
$88,793
$42.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricIrvington, NJNewark, NJ
Median Salary$78,233$88,793
Hourly Rate$37.62$42.69
Entry Level (P10)$53,504$57,217
25th Percentile$67,070$75,646
75th Percentile$98,763$113,655
Top Earner (P90)$120,193$137,629
Total Employed1061
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Irvington ($78,233) and Newark ($88,793) surgical technologist salaries.IrvingtonNewarkMedian Salary$78,233$88,793Entry Level (P10)$53,504$57,217Top Earner (P90)$120,193$137,629US Median $68,141

Verdict

Newark, NJ offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Irvington.

The salary gap between Irvington and Newark is $10,560 (13.50%). Newark's median is +30.31% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Irvington spans $66,689,Newark spans $80,412. Newark has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced surgical technologists.

Irvington
P10 (Entry)$53,504
P25$67,070
Median$78,233
P75$98,763
P90 (Top)$120,193
Newark
P10 (Entry)$57,217
P25$75,646
Median$88,793
P75$113,655
P90 (Top)$137,629

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Newark ($77,077 effective) pays 13.50% more than Irvington ($67,911 effective).

Irvington
Nominal: $78,233
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $67,911
Newark
Nominal: $88,793
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $77,077

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Irvington if…

  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Newark if…

  • Higher median salary ($88,793/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($137,629)
  • Larger job market (61 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,077)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Irvington grew 4.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 12.2% growth in Newark over the same period.

Irvington, NJ

+4.3%

$71,182 (2024) → $74,225 (2025)

Newark, NJ

+12.2%

$75,106 (2024) → $84,244 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Irvington or Newark?

Newark has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $88,793/year, compared to Irvington at $78,233/year — a difference of $10,560 (13.50%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Irvington and Newark?

Irvington surgical technologists earn $37.62/hr while Newark hygienists earn $42.69/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Irvington to Newark as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Irvington and Newark. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Irvington = $67,911, Newark = $77,077), job availability (10 vs 61 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Irvington vs Newark?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $53,504 in Irvington and $57,217 in Newark. The Newark 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