Surg Tech Salary

East Honolulu vs Honolulu: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between East Honolulu, HI and Honolulu, HI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

East Honolulu, HI
$79,689
$38.31/hr
Honolulu, HI
$86,501
$41.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEast Honolulu, HIHonolulu, HI
Median Salary$79,689$86,501
Hourly Rate$38.31$41.59
Entry Level (P10)$56,448$57,311
25th Percentile$66,663$69,835
75th Percentile$94,709$109,199
Top Earner (P90)$119,609$131,968
Total Employed1268
Side-by-side bar chart comparing East Honolulu ($79,689) and Honolulu ($86,501) surgical technologist salaries.East HonoluluHonoluluMedian Salary$79,689$86,501Entry Level (P10)$56,448$57,311Top Earner (P90)$119,609$131,968US Median $68,141

Verdict

Honolulu, HI offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to East Honolulu.

The salary gap between East Honolulu and Honolulu is $6,812 (8.55%). Honolulu's median is +26.94% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in East Honolulu spans $63,161,Honolulu spans $74,657. Honolulu has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced surgical technologists.

East Honolulu
P10 (Entry)$56,448
P25$66,663
Median$79,689
P75$94,709
P90 (Top)$119,609
Honolulu
P10 (Entry)$57,311
P25$69,835
Median$86,501
P75$109,199
P90 (Top)$131,968

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Honolulu ($72,507 effective) pays 8.55% more than East Honolulu ($66,797 effective).

East Honolulu
Nominal: $79,689
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $66,797
Honolulu
Nominal: $86,501
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $72,507

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose East Honolulu if…

  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Choose Honolulu if…

  • Higher median salary ($86,501/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($131,968)
  • Larger job market (68 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,507)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in East Honolulu grew -0.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -0.5% growth in Honolulu over the same period.

East Honolulu, HI

+-0.5%

$76,016 (2024) → $75,606 (2025)

Honolulu, HI

+-0.5%

$82,513 (2024) → $82,069 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: East Honolulu or Honolulu?

Honolulu has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $86,501/year, compared to East Honolulu at $79,689/year — a difference of $6,812 (8.55%).

What is the hourly rate difference between East Honolulu and Honolulu?

East Honolulu surgical technologists earn $38.31/hr while Honolulu hygienists earn $41.59/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from East Honolulu to Honolulu as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing East Honolulu and Honolulu. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: East Honolulu = $66,797, Honolulu = $72,507), job availability (12 vs 68 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in East Honolulu vs Honolulu?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $56,448 in East Honolulu and $57,311 in Honolulu. The Honolulu 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