Surg Tech Salary

Oakland Park vs Orlando: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Oakland Park, FL and Orlando, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Oakland Park, FL
$62,129
$29.87/hr
Orlando, FL
$65,063
$31.28/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOakland Park, FLOrlando, FL
Median Salary$62,129$65,063
Hourly Rate$29.87$31.28
Entry Level (P10)$46,674$42,107
25th Percentile$53,749$53,796
75th Percentile$76,995$74,233
Top Earner (P90)$89,898$83,350
Total Employed61,490
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Oakland Park ($62,129) and Orlando ($65,063) surgical technologist salaries.Oakland ParkOrlandoMedian Salary$62,129$65,063Entry Level (P10)$46,674$42,107Top Earner (P90)$89,898$83,350US Median $68,141

Verdict

Orlando, FL offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Oakland Park.

The salary gap between Oakland Park and Orlando is $2,934 (4.72%). Orlando's median is -4.52% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Oakland Park spans $43,224,Orlando spans $41,243. Oakland Park has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Oakland Park
P10 (Entry)$46,674
P25$53,749
Median$62,129
P75$76,995
P90 (Top)$89,898
Orlando
P10 (Entry)$42,107
P25$53,796
Median$65,063
P75$74,233
P90 (Top)$83,350

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Orlando ($64,153 effective) pays 4.08% more than Oakland Park ($61,636 effective).

Oakland Park
Nominal: $62,129
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $61,636
Orlando
Nominal: $65,063
CoL Index: 101.418
Adjusted: $64,153

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Oakland Park if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($89,898)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Orlando if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,063/year)
  • Larger job market (1,490 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,153)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Oakland Park grew 17.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 33.3% growth in Orlando over the same period.

Oakland Park, FL

+17.8%

$50,032 (2024) → $58,946 (2025)

Orlando, FL

+33.3%

$46,320 (2019) → $61,730 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Oakland Park or Orlando?

Orlando has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $65,063/year, compared to Oakland Park at $62,129/year — a difference of $2,934 (4.72%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Oakland Park and Orlando?

Oakland Park surgical technologists earn $29.87/hr while Orlando hygienists earn $31.28/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Oakland Park to Orlando as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Oakland Park and Orlando. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Oakland Park = $61,636, Orlando = $64,153), job availability (6 vs 1,490 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Oakland Park vs Orlando?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $46,674 in Oakland Park and $42,107 in Orlando. The Oakland Park 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