Surg Tech Salary

Leominster vs Worcester: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Leominster, MA
$78,543
$37.76/hr
Worcester, MA
$81,801
$39.32/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLeominster, MAWorcester, MA
Median Salary$78,543$81,801
Hourly Rate$37.76$39.32
Entry Level (P10)$58,207$61,923
25th Percentile$65,675$73,506
75th Percentile$95,041$102,122
Top Earner (P90)$112,758$103,281
Total Employed10210
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Leominster ($78,543) and Worcester ($81,801) surgical technologist salaries.LeominsterWorcesterMedian Salary$78,543$81,801Entry Level (P10)$58,207$61,923Top Earner (P90)$112,758$103,281US Median $68,141

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Leominster and Worcester is $3,258 (4.15%). Worcester's median is +20.05% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Leominster spans $54,551,Worcester spans $41,358. Leominster has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Leominster
P10 (Entry)$58,207
P25$65,675
Median$78,543
P75$95,041
P90 (Top)$112,758
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 10.22% more than Leominster ($72,390 effective).

Leominster
Nominal: $78,543
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $72,390
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 Leominster if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($112,758)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Worcester if…

  • Higher median salary ($81,801/year)
  • 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 Leominster grew 6.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 43.8% growth in Worcester over the same period.

Leominster, MA

+6.4%

$70,029 (2024) → $74,519 (2025)

Worcester, MA

+43.8%

$53,980 (2019) → $77,610 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Leominster or Worcester?

Worcester has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $81,801/year, compared to Leominster at $78,543/year — a difference of $3,258 (4.15%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Leominster and Worcester?

Leominster surgical technologists earn $37.76/hr while Worcester hygienists earn $39.32/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Leominster and Worcester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Leominster = $72,390, Worcester = $79,788), job availability (10 vs 210 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $58,207 in Leominster 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