Surg Tech Salary

Shreveport vs Zachary: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Shreveport, LA and Zachary, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Shreveport, LA
$54,566
$26.23/hr
Zachary, LA
$56,585
$27.20/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricShreveport, LAZachary, LA
Median Salary$54,566$56,585
Hourly Rate$26.23$27.20
Entry Level (P10)$43,119$44,321
25th Percentile$49,559$50,103
75th Percentile$63,377$66,050
Top Earner (P90)$70,049$81,854
Total Employed2306
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Shreveport ($54,566) and Zachary ($56,585) surgical technologist salaries.ShreveportZacharyMedian Salary$54,566$56,585Entry Level (P10)$43,119$44,321Top Earner (P90)$70,049$81,854US Median $68,141

Verdict

Zachary, LA offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Shreveport.

The salary gap between Shreveport and Zachary is $2,019 (3.70%). Zachary's median is -16.96% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Shreveport spans $26,930,Zachary spans $37,533. Zachary has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced surgical technologists.

Shreveport
P10 (Entry)$43,119
P25$49,559
Median$54,566
P75$63,377
P90 (Top)$70,049
Zachary
P10 (Entry)$44,321
P25$50,103
Median$56,585
P75$66,050
P90 (Top)$81,854

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Shreveport ($64,373 effective) pays 2.73% more than Zachary ($62,663 effective).

Shreveport
Nominal: $54,566
CoL Index: 84.766
Adjusted: $64,373
Zachary
Nominal: $56,585
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $62,663

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Shreveport if…

  • Larger job market (230 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,373)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Zachary if…

  • Higher median salary ($56,585/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($81,854)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Shreveport grew 36.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 33.2% growth in Zachary over the same period.

Shreveport, LA

+36.8%

$37,830 (2019) → $51,770 (2025)

Zachary, LA

+33.2%

$40,311 (2024) → $53,686 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Shreveport or Zachary?

Zachary has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $56,585/year, compared to Shreveport at $54,566/year — a difference of $2,019 (3.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Shreveport and Zachary?

Shreveport surgical technologists earn $26.23/hr while Zachary hygienists earn $27.20/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Shreveport to Zachary as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Shreveport and Zachary. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Shreveport = $64,373, Zachary = $62,663), job availability (230 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Shreveport vs Zachary?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $43,119 in Shreveport and $44,321 in Zachary. The Zachary area offers higher starting salaries.
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