Surg Tech Salary

Round Rock vs San Antonio: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Round Rock, TX
$78,341
$37.66/hr
San Antonio, TX
$49,348
$23.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRound Rock, TXSan Antonio, TX
Median Salary$78,341$49,348
Hourly Rate$37.66$23.73
Entry Level (P10)$52,566$42,107
25th Percentile$63,574$46,102
75th Percentile$99,913$77,722
Top Earner (P90)$121,428$82,992
Total Employed261,390
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Round Rock ($78,341) and San Antonio ($49,348) surgical technologist salaries.Round RockSan AntonioMedian Salary$78,341$49,348Entry Level (P10)$52,566$42,107Top Earner (P90)$121,428$82,992US Median $68,141

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Round Rock and San Antonio is $28,993 (58.75%). Round Rock's median is +14.97% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Round Rock spans $68,862,San Antonio spans $40,885. Round Rock has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Round Rock
P10 (Entry)$52,566
P25$63,574
Median$78,341
P75$99,913
P90 (Top)$121,428
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, Round Rock ($81,605 effective) pays 56.63% more than San Antonio ($52,101 effective).

Round Rock
Nominal: $78,341
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $81,605
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 Round Rock if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,341/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($121,428)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,605)
  • 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 Round Rock grew 35.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 23.0% growth in San Antonio over the same period.

Round Rock, TX

+35.9%

$54,678 (2024) → $74,327 (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: Round Rock or San Antonio?

Round Rock has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $78,341/year, compared to San Antonio at $49,348/year — a difference of $28,993 (58.75%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Round Rock and San Antonio?

Round Rock surgical technologists earn $37.66/hr while San Antonio hygienists earn $23.73/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Round Rock and San Antonio. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Round Rock = $81,605, San Antonio = $52,101), job availability (26 vs 1,390 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $52,566 in Round Rock and $42,107 in San Antonio. The Round Rock 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