Surg Tech Salary

Miami vs North Lauderdale: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Miami, FL and North Lauderdale, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Miami, FL
$69,058
$33.20/hr
North Lauderdale, FL
$63,145
$30.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMiami, FLNorth Lauderdale, FL
Median Salary$69,058$63,145
Hourly Rate$33.20$30.36
Entry Level (P10)$44,416$43,904
25th Percentile$63,630$55,865
75th Percentile$84,805$75,723
Top Earner (P90)$106,591$89,447
Total Employed2,2007
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Miami ($69,058) and North Lauderdale ($63,145) surgical technologist salaries.MiamiNorth LauderdaleMedian Salary$69,058$63,145Entry Level (P10)$44,416$43,904Top Earner (P90)$106,591$89,447US Median $68,141

Verdict

Miami, FL offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to North Lauderdale.

The salary gap between Miami and North Lauderdale is $5,913 (9.36%). Miami's median is +1.35% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Miami spans $62,175,North Lauderdale spans $45,543. Miami has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Miami
P10 (Entry)$44,416
P25$63,630
Median$69,058
P75$84,805
P90 (Top)$106,591
North Lauderdale
P10 (Entry)$43,904
P25$55,865
Median$63,145
P75$75,723
P90 (Top)$89,447

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, North Lauderdale ($62,644 effective) pays 3.55% more than Miami ($60,495 effective).

Miami
Nominal: $69,058
CoL Index: 114.155
Adjusted: $60,495
North Lauderdale
Nominal: $63,145
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $62,644

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Miami if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,058/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($106,591)
  • Larger job market (2,200 employed)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose North Lauderdale if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,644)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Miami grew 41.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 17.8% growth in North Lauderdale over the same period.

Miami, FL

+41.9%

$46,160 (2019) → $65,520 (2025)

North Lauderdale, FL

+17.8%

$50,850 (2024) → $59,910 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Miami or North Lauderdale?

Miami has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $69,058/year, compared to North Lauderdale at $63,145/year — a difference of $5,913 (9.36%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Miami and North Lauderdale?

Miami surgical technologists earn $33.20/hr while North Lauderdale hygienists earn $30.36/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Miami to North Lauderdale as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Miami and North Lauderdale. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Miami = $60,495, North Lauderdale = $62,644), job availability (2,200 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Miami vs North Lauderdale?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $44,416 in Miami and $43,904 in North Lauderdale. The Miami 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