Surg Tech Salary

Bossier City vs New Orleans: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Bossier City, LA and New Orleans, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bossier City, LA
$53,699
$25.81/hr
New Orleans, LA
$61,828
$29.72/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBossier City, LANew Orleans, LA
Median Salary$53,699$61,828
Hourly Rate$25.81$29.72
Entry Level (P10)$39,083$37,565
25th Percentile$45,758$51,530
75th Percentile$67,533$68,215
Top Earner (P90)$82,071$79,682
Total Employed16590
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bossier City ($53,699) and New Orleans ($61,828) surgical technologist salaries.Bossier CityNew OrleansMedian Salary$53,699$61,828Entry Level (P10)$39,083$37,565Top Earner (P90)$82,071$79,682US Median $68,141

Verdict

New Orleans, LA offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Bossier City.

The salary gap between Bossier City and New Orleans is $8,129 (15.14%). New Orleans's median is -9.26% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bossier City spans $42,988,New Orleans spans $42,117. Bossier City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bossier City
P10 (Entry)$39,083
P25$45,758
Median$53,699
P75$67,533
P90 (Top)$82,071
New Orleans
P10 (Entry)$37,565
P25$51,530
Median$61,828
P75$68,215
P90 (Top)$79,682

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Orleans ($66,771 effective) pays 12.28% more than Bossier City ($59,467 effective).

Bossier City
Nominal: $53,699
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $59,467
New Orleans
Nominal: $61,828
CoL Index: 92.597
Adjusted: $66,771

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bossier City if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($82,071)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose New Orleans if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,828/year)
  • Larger job market (590 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,771)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Bossier City grew 20.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 40.6% growth in New Orleans over the same period.

Bossier City, LA

+20.6%

$42,229 (2024) → $50,948 (2025)

New Orleans, LA

+40.6%

$41,730 (2019) → $58,660 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Bossier City or New Orleans?

New Orleans has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $61,828/year, compared to Bossier City at $53,699/year — a difference of $8,129 (15.14%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bossier City and New Orleans?

Bossier City surgical technologists earn $25.81/hr while New Orleans hygienists earn $29.72/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bossier City to New Orleans as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bossier City and New Orleans. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bossier City = $59,467, New Orleans = $66,771), job availability (16 vs 590 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Bossier City vs New Orleans?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $39,083 in Bossier City and $37,565 in New Orleans. The Bossier City 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