Surg Tech Salary

Kennewick vs Spokane: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Kennewick, WA and Spokane, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kennewick, WA
$79,050
$38.01/hr
Spokane, WA
$75,920
$36.50/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKennewick, WASpokane, WA
Median Salary$79,050$75,920
Hourly Rate$38.01$36.50
Entry Level (P10)$57,085$51,878
25th Percentile$66,212$62,123
75th Percentile$89,295$81,369
Top Earner (P90)$101,384$95,513
Total Employed110260
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kennewick ($79,050) and Spokane ($75,920) surgical technologist salaries.KennewickSpokaneMedian Salary$79,050$75,920Entry Level (P10)$57,085$51,878Top Earner (P90)$101,384$95,513US Median $68,141

Verdict

Kennewick, WA offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Spokane.

The salary gap between Kennewick and Spokane is $3,130 (4.12%). Kennewick's median is +16.01% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kennewick spans $44,299,Spokane spans $43,635. Kennewick has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Kennewick
P10 (Entry)$57,085
P25$66,212
Median$79,050
P75$89,295
P90 (Top)$101,384
Spokane
P10 (Entry)$51,878
P25$62,123
Median$75,920
P75$81,369
P90 (Top)$95,513

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kennewick ($78,988 effective) pays 4.40% more than Spokane ($75,658 effective).

Kennewick
Nominal: $79,050
CoL Index: 100.079
Adjusted: $78,988
Spokane
Nominal: $75,920
CoL Index: 100.346
Adjusted: $75,658

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kennewick if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,050/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($101,384)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $78,988)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Spokane if…

  • Larger job market (260 employed)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Kennewick grew 41.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 26.5% growth in Spokane over the same period.

Kennewick, WA

+41.2%

$53,130 (2019) → $75,000 (2025)

Spokane, WA

+26.5%

$56,930 (2019) → $72,030 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Kennewick or Spokane?

Kennewick has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $79,050/year, compared to Spokane at $75,920/year — a difference of $3,130 (4.12%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kennewick and Spokane?

Kennewick surgical technologists earn $38.01/hr while Spokane hygienists earn $36.50/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kennewick to Spokane as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kennewick and Spokane. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kennewick = $78,988, Spokane = $75,658), job availability (110 vs 260 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Kennewick vs Spokane?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $57,085 in Kennewick and $51,878 in Spokane. The Kennewick 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