Surg Tech Salary

Huntsville vs Phenix City: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Huntsville, AL and Phenix City, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Huntsville, AL
$54,502
$26.20/hr
Phenix City, AL
$50,986
$24.52/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHuntsville, ALPhenix City, AL
Median Salary$54,502$50,986
Hourly Rate$26.20$24.52
Entry Level (P10)$38,460$39,111
25th Percentile$42,055$44,865
75th Percentile$64,642$60,828
Top Earner (P90)$79,893$71,962
Total Employed4507
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Huntsville ($54,502) and Phenix City ($50,986) surgical technologist salaries.HuntsvillePhenix CityMedian Salary$54,502$50,986Entry Level (P10)$38,460$39,111Top Earner (P90)$79,893$71,962US Median $68,141

Verdict

Huntsville, AL offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Phenix City.

The salary gap between Huntsville and Phenix City is $3,516 (6.90%). Huntsville's median is -20.02% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Huntsville spans $41,433,Phenix City spans $32,851. Huntsville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Huntsville
P10 (Entry)$38,460
P25$42,055
Median$54,502
P75$64,642
P90 (Top)$79,893
Phenix City
P10 (Entry)$39,111
P25$44,865
Median$50,986
P75$60,828
P90 (Top)$71,962

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Huntsville ($58,559 effective) pays 0.96% more than Phenix City ($58,005 effective).

Huntsville
Nominal: $54,502
CoL Index: 93.072
Adjusted: $58,559
Phenix City
Nominal: $50,986
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $58,005

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Huntsville if…

  • Higher median salary ($54,502/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($79,893)
  • Larger job market (450 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $58,559)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Phenix City if…

  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Huntsville grew 16.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 16.5% growth in Phenix City over the same period.

Huntsville, AL

+16.9%

$44,240 (2019) → $51,710 (2025)

Phenix City, AL

+16.5%

$41,517 (2024) → $48,374 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Huntsville or Phenix City?

Huntsville has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $54,502/year, compared to Phenix City at $50,986/year — a difference of $3,516 (6.90%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Huntsville and Phenix City?

Huntsville surgical technologists earn $26.20/hr while Phenix City hygienists earn $24.52/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Huntsville to Phenix City as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Huntsville and Phenix City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Huntsville = $58,559, Phenix City = $58,005), job availability (450 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Huntsville vs Phenix City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $38,460 in Huntsville and $39,111 in Phenix City. The Phenix City 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