Surg Tech Salary

Shoreline vs Spokane: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Shoreline, WA and Spokane, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Shoreline, WA
$77,720
$37.36/hr
Spokane, WA
$75,920
$36.50/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricShoreline, WASpokane, WA
Median Salary$77,720$75,920
Hourly Rate$37.36$36.50
Entry Level (P10)$54,039$51,878
25th Percentile$64,273$62,123
75th Percentile$95,727$81,369
Top Earner (P90)$115,723$95,513
Total Employed8260
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Shoreline ($77,720) and Spokane ($75,920) surgical technologist salaries.ShorelineSpokaneMedian Salary$77,720$75,920Entry Level (P10)$54,039$51,878Top Earner (P90)$115,723$95,513US Median $68,141

Verdict

Shoreline, WA offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Spokane.

The salary gap between Shoreline and Spokane is $1,800 (2.37%). Shoreline's median is +14.06% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Shoreline spans $61,684,Spokane spans $43,635. Shoreline has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Shoreline
P10 (Entry)$54,039
P25$64,273
Median$77,720
P75$95,727
P90 (Top)$115,723
Spokane
P10 (Entry)$51,878
P25$62,123
Median$75,920
P75$81,369
P90 (Top)$95,513

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Spokane ($75,658 effective) pays 4.55% more than Shoreline ($72,365 effective).

Shoreline
Nominal: $77,720
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $72,365
Spokane
Nominal: $75,920
CoL Index: 100.346
Adjusted: $75,658

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Shoreline if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,720/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($115,723)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Spokane if…

  • Larger job market (260 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $75,658)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Shoreline grew -4.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 26.5% growth in Spokane over the same period.

Shoreline, WA

+-4.9%

$77,562 (2024) → $73,738 (2025)

Spokane, WA

+26.5%

$56,930 (2019) → $72,030 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Shoreline or Spokane?

Shoreline has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $77,720/year, compared to Spokane at $75,920/year — a difference of $1,800 (2.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Shoreline and Spokane?

Shoreline surgical technologists earn $37.36/hr while Spokane hygienists earn $36.50/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Shoreline to Spokane as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Shoreline and Spokane. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Shoreline = $72,365, Spokane = $75,658), job availability (8 vs 260 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Shoreline vs Spokane?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $54,039 in Shoreline and $51,878 in Spokane. The Shoreline 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