Salt Lake City vs St. George: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)
Compare surgical technologist salaries between Salt Lake City, UT and St. George, UT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | St. George, UT |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $69,237 | $71,756▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $33.29 | $34.50▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,421▲ | $48,231 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,830 | $58,866▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $81,833▲ | $80,146 |
| Top Earner (P90) | $94,459▲ | $92,900 |
| Total Employed | 470▲ | 70 |
Verdict
Salt Lake City and St. George are closely matched on overall surgical technologist compensation, each winning on different metrics.
The salary gap between Salt Lake City and St. George is $2,519 (3.64%). St. George's median is +5.31% 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,St. George spans $44,669. Salt Lake City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, St. George ($73,731 effective) pays 7.42% 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…
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($94,459)
- ✓Larger job market (470 employed)
- ✓You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle
Choose St. George if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($71,756/year)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,731)
- ✓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 59.4% growth in St. George over the same period.
Salt Lake City, UT
$43,590 (2019) → $65,690 (2025)
St. George, UT
$42,710 (2019) → $68,080 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Salt Lake City, UT
St. George, UT
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays surgical technologists more: Salt Lake City or St. George?
What is the hourly rate difference between Salt Lake City and St. George?
Should I relocate from Salt Lake City to St. George as a surgical technologist?
What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Salt Lake City vs St. George?
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