Surg Tech Salary

Durant vs Lawton: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Durant, OK and Lawton, OK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Durant, OK
$56,713
$27.27/hr
Lawton, OK
$62,302
$29.95/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDurant, OKLawton, OK
Median Salary$56,713$62,302
Hourly Rate$27.27$29.95
Entry Level (P10)$45,115$49,812
25th Percentile$50,676$50,307
75th Percentile$66,674$64,125
Top Earner (P90)$80,793$76,173
Total Employed570
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Durant ($56,713) and Lawton ($62,302) surgical technologist salaries.DurantLawtonMedian Salary$56,713$62,302Entry Level (P10)$45,115$49,812Top Earner (P90)$80,793$76,173US Median $68,141

Verdict

Lawton, OK offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Durant.

The salary gap between Durant and Lawton is $5,589 (9.85%). Lawton's median is -8.57% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Durant spans $35,678,Lawton spans $26,361. Durant has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Durant
P10 (Entry)$45,115
P25$50,676
Median$56,713
P75$66,674
P90 (Top)$80,793
Lawton
P10 (Entry)$49,812
P25$50,307
Median$62,302
P75$64,125
P90 (Top)$76,173

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lawton ($72,494 effective) pays 13.64% more than Durant ($63,794 effective).

Durant
Nominal: $56,713
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $63,794
Lawton
Nominal: $62,302
CoL Index: 85.941
Adjusted: $72,494

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Durant if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($80,793)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Lawton if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,302/year)
  • Larger job market (70 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,494)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Durant grew 29.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 48.9% growth in Lawton over the same period.

Durant, OK

+29.3%

$41,614 (2024) → $53,807 (2025)

Lawton, OK

+48.9%

$39,710 (2019) → $59,110 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Durant or Lawton?

Lawton has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $62,302/year, compared to Durant at $56,713/year — a difference of $5,589 (9.85%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Durant and Lawton?

Durant surgical technologists earn $27.27/hr while Lawton hygienists earn $29.95/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Durant to Lawton as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Durant and Lawton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Durant = $63,794, Lawton = $72,494), job availability (5 vs 70 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Durant vs Lawton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $45,115 in Durant and $49,812 in Lawton. The Lawton 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