Surg Tech Salary

Binghamton vs Rochester: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Binghamton, NY and Rochester, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Binghamton, NY
$72,713
$34.96/hr
Rochester, NY
$64,062
$30.80/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBinghamton, NYRochester, NY
Median Salary$72,713$64,062
Hourly Rate$34.96$30.80
Entry Level (P10)$52,629$42,550
25th Percentile$64,471$54,713
75th Percentile$87,224$68,025
Top Earner (P90)$103,407$78,544
Total Employed13340
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Binghamton ($72,713) and Rochester ($64,062) surgical technologist salaries.BinghamtonRochesterMedian Salary$72,713$64,062Entry Level (P10)$52,629$42,550Top Earner (P90)$103,407$78,544US Median $68,141

Verdict

Binghamton, NY offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Rochester.

The salary gap between Binghamton and Rochester is $8,651 (13.50%). Binghamton's median is +6.71% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Binghamton spans $50,778,Rochester spans $35,994. Binghamton has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Binghamton
P10 (Entry)$52,629
P25$64,471
Median$72,713
P75$87,224
P90 (Top)$103,407
Rochester
P10 (Entry)$42,550
P25$54,713
Median$64,062
P75$68,025
P90 (Top)$78,544

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rochester ($66,019 effective) pays 5.23% more than Binghamton ($62,738 effective).

Binghamton
Nominal: $72,713
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $62,738
Rochester
Nominal: $64,062
CoL Index: 97.035
Adjusted: $66,019

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Binghamton if…

  • Higher median salary ($72,713/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($103,407)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Rochester if…

  • Larger job market (340 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,019)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Binghamton grew -6.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 36.5% growth in Rochester over the same period.

Binghamton, NY

+-6.0%

$73,387 (2024) → $68,988 (2025)

Rochester, NY

+36.5%

$44,540 (2019) → $60,780 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Binghamton or Rochester?

Binghamton has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $72,713/year, compared to Rochester at $64,062/year — a difference of $8,651 (13.50%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Binghamton and Rochester?

Binghamton surgical technologists earn $34.96/hr while Rochester hygienists earn $30.80/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Binghamton to Rochester as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Binghamton and Rochester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Binghamton = $62,738, Rochester = $66,019), job availability (13 vs 340 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Binghamton vs Rochester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $52,629 in Binghamton and $42,550 in Rochester. The Binghamton 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