Surg Tech Salary

Apopka vs Miami: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Apopka, FL and Miami, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Apopka, FL
$63,993
$30.77/hr
Miami, FL
$69,058
$33.20/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricApopka, FLMiami, FL
Median Salary$63,993$69,058
Hourly Rate$30.77$33.20
Entry Level (P10)$47,558$44,416
25th Percentile$55,218$63,630
75th Percentile$77,277$84,805
Top Earner (P90)$99,113$106,591
Total Employed82,200
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Apopka ($63,993) and Miami ($69,058) surgical technologist salaries.ApopkaMiamiMedian Salary$63,993$69,058Entry Level (P10)$47,558$44,416Top Earner (P90)$99,113$106,591US Median $68,141

Verdict

Miami, FL offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Apopka.

The salary gap between Apopka and Miami is $5,065 (7.91%). Miami's median is +1.35% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Apopka spans $51,555,Miami spans $62,175. Miami has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced surgical technologists.

Apopka
P10 (Entry)$47,558
P25$55,218
Median$63,993
P75$77,277
P90 (Top)$99,113
Miami
P10 (Entry)$44,416
P25$63,630
Median$69,058
P75$84,805
P90 (Top)$106,591

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Apopka ($63,485 effective) pays 4.94% more than Miami ($60,495 effective).

Apopka
Nominal: $63,993
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $63,485
Miami
Nominal: $69,058
CoL Index: 114.155
Adjusted: $60,495

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Apopka if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,485)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Miami if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,058/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($106,591)
  • Larger job market (2,200 employed)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Apopka grew 17.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 41.9% growth in Miami over the same period.

Apopka, FL

+17.8%

$51,533 (2024) → $60,714 (2025)

Miami, FL

+41.9%

$46,160 (2019) → $65,520 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Apopka or Miami?

Miami has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $69,058/year, compared to Apopka at $63,993/year — a difference of $5,065 (7.91%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Apopka and Miami?

Apopka surgical technologists earn $30.77/hr while Miami hygienists earn $33.20/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Apopka to Miami as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Apopka and Miami. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Apopka = $63,485, Miami = $60,495), job availability (8 vs 2,200 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Apopka vs Miami?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $47,558 in Apopka and $44,416 in Miami. The Apopka 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