Surg Tech Salary

Boston vs Woburn: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Boston, MA and Woburn, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boston, MA
$85,901
$41.30/hr
Woburn, MA
$78,730
$37.85/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAWoburn, MA
Median Salary$85,901$78,730
Hourly Rate$41.30$37.85
Entry Level (P10)$65,021$58,730
25th Percentile$79,029$66,053
75th Percentile$104,957$95,453
Top Earner (P90)$122,622$113,624
Total Employed1,55010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($85,901) and Woburn ($78,730) surgical technologist salaries.BostonWoburnMedian Salary$85,901$78,730Entry Level (P10)$65,021$58,730Top Earner (P90)$122,622$113,624US Median $68,141

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Woburn.

The salary gap between Boston and Woburn is $7,171 (9.11%). Boston's median is +26.06% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $57,601,Woburn spans $54,894. Boston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$65,021
P25$79,029
Median$85,901
P75$104,957
P90 (Top)$122,622
Woburn
P10 (Entry)$58,730
P25$66,053
Median$78,730
P75$95,453
P90 (Top)$113,624

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($79,343 effective) pays 9.34% more than Woburn ($72,562 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $85,901
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $79,343
Woburn
Nominal: $78,730
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $72,562

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($85,901/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($122,622)
  • Larger job market (1,550 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,343)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Woburn if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Boston grew 44.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 6.4% growth in Woburn over the same period.

Boston, MA

+44.2%

$56,520 (2019) → $81,500 (2025)

Woburn, MA

+6.4%

$70,195 (2024) → $74,696 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Boston or Woburn?

Boston has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $85,901/year, compared to Woburn at $78,730/year — a difference of $7,171 (9.11%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Woburn?

Boston surgical technologists earn $41.30/hr while Woburn hygienists earn $37.85/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Woburn as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Woburn. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $79,343, Woburn = $72,562), job availability (1,550 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Boston vs Woburn?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $65,021 in Boston and $58,730 in Woburn. The Boston 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