Surg Tech Salary

Kennesaw vs Savannah: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Kennesaw, GA and Savannah, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kennesaw, GA
$60,293
$28.99/hr
Savannah, GA
$67,445
$32.43/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKennesaw, GASavannah, GA
Median Salary$60,293$67,445
Hourly Rate$28.99$32.43
Entry Level (P10)$45,310$49,917
25th Percentile$50,832$54,629
75th Percentile$73,339$68,995
Top Earner (P90)$87,409$68,995
Total Employed8270
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kennesaw ($60,293) and Savannah ($67,445) surgical technologist salaries.KennesawSavannahMedian Salary$60,293$67,445Entry Level (P10)$45,310$49,917Top Earner (P90)$87,409$68,995US Median $68,141

Verdict

Savannah, GA offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Kennesaw.

The salary gap between Kennesaw and Savannah is $7,152 (11.86%). Savannah's median is -1.02% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kennesaw spans $42,099,Savannah spans $19,078. Kennesaw has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Kennesaw
P10 (Entry)$45,310
P25$50,832
Median$60,293
P75$73,339
P90 (Top)$87,409
Savannah
P10 (Entry)$49,917
P25$54,629
Median$67,445
P75$68,995
P90 (Top)$68,995

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Savannah ($70,841 effective) pays 9.39% more than Kennesaw ($64,762 effective).

Kennesaw
Nominal: $60,293
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $64,762
Savannah
Nominal: $67,445
CoL Index: 95.206
Adjusted: $70,841

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kennesaw if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($87,409)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Savannah if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,445/year)
  • Larger job market (270 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,841)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Kennesaw grew 19.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 55.4% growth in Savannah over the same period.

Kennesaw, GA

+19.2%

$47,995 (2024) → $57,204 (2025)

Savannah, GA

+55.4%

$41,190 (2019) → $63,990 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Kennesaw or Savannah?

Savannah has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $67,445/year, compared to Kennesaw at $60,293/year — a difference of $7,152 (11.86%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kennesaw and Savannah?

Kennesaw surgical technologists earn $28.99/hr while Savannah hygienists earn $32.43/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kennesaw to Savannah as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kennesaw and Savannah. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kennesaw = $64,762, Savannah = $70,841), job availability (8 vs 270 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Kennesaw vs Savannah?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $45,310 in Kennesaw and $49,917 in Savannah. The Savannah 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