Surg Tech Salary

Rockwall vs San Antonio: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Rockwall, TX and San Antonio, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Rockwall, TX
$63,567
$30.57/hr
San Antonio, TX
$49,348
$23.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRockwall, TXSan Antonio, TX
Median Salary$63,567$49,348
Hourly Rate$30.57$23.73
Entry Level (P10)$48,484$42,107
25th Percentile$55,531$46,102
75th Percentile$77,833$77,722
Top Earner (P90)$92,994$82,992
Total Employed121,390
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Rockwall ($63,567) and San Antonio ($49,348) surgical technologist salaries.RockwallSan AntonioMedian Salary$63,567$49,348Entry Level (P10)$48,484$42,107Top Earner (P90)$92,994$82,992US Median $68,141

Verdict

Rockwall, TX offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to San Antonio.

The salary gap between Rockwall and San Antonio is $14,219 (28.81%). Rockwall's median is -6.71% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Rockwall spans $44,510,San Antonio spans $40,885. Rockwall has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Rockwall
P10 (Entry)$48,484
P25$55,531
Median$63,567
P75$77,833
P90 (Top)$92,994
San Antonio
P10 (Entry)$42,107
P25$46,102
Median$49,348
P75$77,722
P90 (Top)$82,992

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rockwall ($66,216 effective) pays 27.09% more than San Antonio ($52,101 effective).

Rockwall
Nominal: $63,567
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $66,216
San Antonio
Nominal: $49,348
CoL Index: 94.716
Adjusted: $52,101

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Rockwall if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,567/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($92,994)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,216)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose San Antonio if…

  • Larger job market (1,390 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Rockwall grew 16.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 23.0% growth in San Antonio over the same period.

Rockwall, TX

+16.7%

$51,678 (2024) → $60,310 (2025)

San Antonio, TX

+23.0%

$38,080 (2019) → $46,820 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Rockwall or San Antonio?

Rockwall has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $63,567/year, compared to San Antonio at $49,348/year — a difference of $14,219 (28.81%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Rockwall and San Antonio?

Rockwall surgical technologists earn $30.57/hr while San Antonio hygienists earn $23.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Rockwall to San Antonio as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Rockwall and San Antonio. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Rockwall = $66,216, San Antonio = $52,101), job availability (12 vs 1,390 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Rockwall vs San Antonio?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $48,484 in Rockwall and $42,107 in San Antonio. The Rockwall 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