Surg Tech Salary

Potomac vs Salisbury: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Potomac, MD and Salisbury, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Potomac, MD
$72,229
$34.73/hr
Salisbury, MD
$61,322
$29.48/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPotomac, MDSalisbury, MD
Median Salary$72,229$61,322
Hourly Rate$34.73$29.48
Entry Level (P10)$50,106$50,033
25th Percentile$63,872$57,622
75th Percentile$89,244$61,933
Top Earner (P90)$106,720$77,933
Total Employed1180
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Potomac ($72,229) and Salisbury ($61,322) surgical technologist salaries.PotomacSalisburyMedian Salary$72,229$61,322Entry Level (P10)$50,106$50,033Top Earner (P90)$106,720$77,933US Median $68,141

Verdict

Potomac, MD offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Salisbury.

The salary gap between Potomac and Salisbury is $10,907 (17.79%). Potomac's median is +6.00% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Potomac spans $56,614,Salisbury spans $27,900. Potomac has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Potomac
P10 (Entry)$50,106
P25$63,872
Median$72,229
P75$89,244
P90 (Top)$106,720
Salisbury
P10 (Entry)$50,033
P25$57,622
Median$61,322
P75$61,933
P90 (Top)$77,933

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Potomac ($66,083 effective) pays 3.04% more than Salisbury ($64,133 effective).

Potomac
Nominal: $72,229
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $66,083
Salisbury
Nominal: $61,322
CoL Index: 95.617
Adjusted: $64,133

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Potomac if…

  • Higher median salary ($72,229/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($106,720)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,083)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Salisbury if…

  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Potomac grew 7.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 37.3% growth in Salisbury over the same period.

Potomac, MD

+7.7%

$63,600 (2024) → $68,528 (2025)

Salisbury, MD

+37.3%

$42,360 (2019) → $58,180 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Potomac or Salisbury?

Potomac has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $72,229/year, compared to Salisbury at $61,322/year — a difference of $10,907 (17.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Potomac and Salisbury?

Potomac surgical technologists earn $34.73/hr while Salisbury hygienists earn $29.48/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Potomac to Salisbury as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Potomac and Salisbury. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Potomac = $66,083, Salisbury = $64,133), job availability (11 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Potomac vs Salisbury?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $50,106 in Potomac and $50,033 in Salisbury. The Potomac 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