Surg Tech Salary

Birmingham vs Enterprise: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Birmingham, AL and Enterprise, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Birmingham, AL
$54,302
$26.11/hr
Enterprise, AL
$50,125
$24.09/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBirmingham, ALEnterprise, AL
Median Salary$54,302$50,125
Hourly Rate$26.11$24.09
Entry Level (P10)$38,524$38,755
25th Percentile$42,076$44,175
75th Percentile$63,114$59,943
Top Earner (P90)$65,738$70,732
Total Employed7006
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Birmingham ($54,302) and Enterprise ($50,125) surgical technologist salaries.BirminghamEnterpriseMedian Salary$54,302$50,125Entry Level (P10)$38,524$38,755Top Earner (P90)$65,738$70,732US Median $68,141

Verdict

Birmingham, AL offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Enterprise.

The salary gap between Birmingham and Enterprise is $4,177 (8.33%). Birmingham's median is -20.31% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Birmingham spans $27,214,Enterprise spans $31,977. Enterprise has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced surgical technologists.

Birmingham
P10 (Entry)$38,524
P25$42,076
Median$54,302
P75$63,114
P90 (Top)$65,738
Enterprise
P10 (Entry)$38,755
P25$44,175
Median$50,125
P75$59,943
P90 (Top)$70,732

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Birmingham ($59,253 effective) pays 3.91% more than Enterprise ($57,025 effective).

Birmingham
Nominal: $54,302
CoL Index: 91.644
Adjusted: $59,253
Enterprise
Nominal: $50,125
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $57,025

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Birmingham if…

  • Higher median salary ($54,302/year)
  • Larger job market (700 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $59,253)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Enterprise if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($70,732)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Birmingham grew 30.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 16.5% growth in Enterprise over the same period.

Birmingham, AL

+30.1%

$39,610 (2019) → $51,520 (2025)

Enterprise, AL

+16.5%

$40,817 (2024) → $47,557 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Birmingham or Enterprise?

Birmingham has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $54,302/year, compared to Enterprise at $50,125/year — a difference of $4,177 (8.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Birmingham and Enterprise?

Birmingham surgical technologists earn $26.11/hr while Enterprise hygienists earn $24.09/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Birmingham to Enterprise as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Birmingham and Enterprise. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Birmingham = $59,253, Enterprise = $57,025), job availability (700 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Birmingham vs Enterprise?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $38,524 in Birmingham and $38,755 in Enterprise. The Enterprise 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