Surg Tech Salary

Atlanta vs Hinesville: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Atlanta, GA and Hinesville, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlanta, GA
$71,219
$34.24/hr
Hinesville, GA
$61,381
$29.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlanta, GAHinesville, GA
Median Salary$71,219$61,381
Hourly Rate$34.24$29.51
Entry Level (P10)$42,255$42,864
25th Percentile$56,389$54,441
75th Percentile$84,562$76,044
Top Earner (P90)$92,014$90,949
Total Employed2,4009
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlanta ($71,219) and Hinesville ($61,381) surgical technologist salaries.AtlantaHinesvilleMedian Salary$71,219$61,381Entry Level (P10)$42,255$42,864Top Earner (P90)$92,014$90,949US Median $68,141

Verdict

Atlanta, GA offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Hinesville.

The salary gap between Atlanta and Hinesville is $9,838 (16.03%). Atlanta's median is +4.52% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlanta spans $49,759,Hinesville spans $48,085. Atlanta has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Atlanta
P10 (Entry)$42,255
P25$56,389
Median$71,219
P75$84,562
P90 (Top)$92,014
Hinesville
P10 (Entry)$42,864
P25$54,441
Median$61,381
P75$76,044
P90 (Top)$90,949

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlanta ($71,178 effective) pays 7.96% more than Hinesville ($65,930 effective).

Atlanta
Nominal: $71,219
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $71,178
Hinesville
Nominal: $61,381
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $65,930

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlanta if…

  • Higher median salary ($71,219/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($92,014)
  • Larger job market (2,400 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,178)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Hinesville if…

  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Atlanta grew 40.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.2% growth in Hinesville over the same period.

Atlanta, GA

+40.4%

$48,130 (2019) → $67,570 (2025)

Hinesville, GA

+19.2%

$48,861 (2024) → $58,236 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Atlanta or Hinesville?

Atlanta has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $71,219/year, compared to Hinesville at $61,381/year — a difference of $9,838 (16.03%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlanta and Hinesville?

Atlanta surgical technologists earn $34.24/hr while Hinesville hygienists earn $29.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlanta to Hinesville as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlanta and Hinesville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlanta = $71,178, Hinesville = $65,930), job availability (2,400 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Atlanta vs Hinesville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $42,255 in Atlanta and $42,864 in Hinesville. The Hinesville 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