Surg Tech Salary

Casa Grande vs Phoenix: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Casa Grande, AZ and Phoenix, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Casa Grande, AZ
$65,376
$31.43/hr
Phoenix, AZ
$82,265
$39.56/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCasa Grande, AZPhoenix, AZ
Median Salary$65,376$82,265
Hourly Rate$31.43$39.56
Entry Level (P10)$45,715$54,861
25th Percentile$54,260$67,424
75th Percentile$80,819$89,464
Top Earner (P90)$97,501$102,280
Total Employed121,790
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Casa Grande ($65,376) and Phoenix ($82,265) surgical technologist salaries.Casa GrandePhoenixMedian Salary$65,376$82,265Entry Level (P10)$45,715$54,861Top Earner (P90)$97,501$102,280US Median $68,141

Verdict

Phoenix, AZ offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Casa Grande.

The salary gap between Casa Grande and Phoenix is $16,889 (25.83%). Phoenix's median is +20.73% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Casa Grande spans $51,786,Phoenix spans $47,419. Casa Grande has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Casa Grande
P10 (Entry)$45,715
P25$54,260
Median$65,376
P75$80,819
P90 (Top)$97,501
Phoenix
P10 (Entry)$54,861
P25$67,424
Median$82,265
P75$89,464
P90 (Top)$102,280

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Phoenix ($79,625 effective) pays 19.97% more than Casa Grande ($66,372 effective).

Casa Grande
Nominal: $65,376
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $66,372
Phoenix
Nominal: $82,265
CoL Index: 103.316
Adjusted: $79,625

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Casa Grande if…

  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Phoenix if…

  • Higher median salary ($82,265/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($102,280)
  • Larger job market (1,790 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,625)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Casa Grande grew 11.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 45.6% growth in Phoenix over the same period.

Casa Grande, AZ

+11.5%

$55,647 (2024) → $62,027 (2025)

Phoenix, AZ

+45.6%

$53,590 (2019) → $78,050 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Casa Grande or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $82,265/year, compared to Casa Grande at $65,376/year — a difference of $16,889 (25.83%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Casa Grande and Phoenix?

Casa Grande surgical technologists earn $31.43/hr while Phoenix hygienists earn $39.56/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Casa Grande to Phoenix as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Casa Grande and Phoenix. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Casa Grande = $66,372, Phoenix = $79,625), job availability (12 vs 1,790 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Casa Grande vs Phoenix?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $45,715 in Casa Grande and $54,861 in Phoenix. The Phoenix 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