Salt Lake City vs Sandy: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)
Compare surgical technologist salaries between Salt Lake City, UT and Sandy, UT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Sandy, UT |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $69,237 | $69,828▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $33.29 | $33.57▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,421 | $49,534▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $55,830 | $58,537▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $81,833 | $86,844▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $94,459 | $105,100▲ |
| Total Employed | 470▲ | 18 |
Verdict
Sandy, UT offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Salt Lake City.
The salary gap between Salt Lake City and Sandy is $591 (0.85%). Sandy's median is +2.48% compared to the US national median of $68,141.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Salt Lake City spans $46,038,Sandy spans $55,566. Sandy has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced surgical technologists.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Sandy ($71,180 effective) pays 3.70% more than Salt Lake City ($68,641 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Salt Lake City if…
- ✓Larger job market (470 employed)
- ✓You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle
Choose Sandy if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($69,828/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($105,100)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,180)
- ✓You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Salt Lake City grew 50.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.1% growth in Sandy over the same period.
Salt Lake City, UT
$43,590 (2019) → $65,690 (2025)
Sandy, UT
$55,616 (2024) → $66,250 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Salt Lake City, UT
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays surgical technologists more: Salt Lake City or Sandy?
What is the hourly rate difference between Salt Lake City and Sandy?
Should I relocate from Salt Lake City to Sandy as a surgical technologist?
What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Salt Lake City vs Sandy?
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.
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