Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay in Burlington, NC: $30.24 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a surgical technologist working in Burlington, NC runs $30.24 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,899 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,739 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Surgical technologists in Burlington, North Carolina, earn a median hourly pay of $30.24, which falls below the national median of $32.76. This pay rate reflects the typical earnings expected in hospital main operating rooms, specialty surgical centers, and other surgical environments where these professionals are commonly employed. The hourly pay range allows for varied earnings across the profession, with entry-level surgical technologists starting at approximately $22.19 per hour and top earners making up to $46.63. Such a range can greatly influence part-time and per-diem work, where surgical techs often find flexible work opportunities that suit their schedules and lifestyle, making it possible to gauge their compensation against their hours worked.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.19 | $177.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.97 | $207.76 |
| Median (P50) | $30.24 | $241.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.21 | $305.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.63 | $373.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $30.24/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.24/hr, a surgical technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, NC can expect to earn approximately $62,898 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,287. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,209.57 | $5,241 | $62,898 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $725.74 | $3,145 | $37,739 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $483.83 | $2,097 | $25,159 |
Compare Surg Tech, CST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Surgical Technologist (Burlington) | $30.24 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.36 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
| Radiologic Technologist (National Avg) | $36.78 |
Surgical Technologists in Burlington, NC earn a median of $62,899 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.69% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 2.00% below the North Carolina state average of $64,182.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.24/hr = $37,739/year (purchasing power: $40,319).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,898/year (purchasing power: $67,198).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.24/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.24/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for surgical technologists in Burlington grew 33.9% from $21.43/hr (2019) to $28.69/hr (2025). At a 5.40% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.87/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem surgical technologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.40% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Surgical Technologist in Burlington
For part-time surgical technologists working three days a week, totaling 24 hours, this hourly pay translates to a practical income while allowing for manageable work-life balance. In contrast, per-diem surgical technologists typically see higher earnings, commonly billing between $35-$55 per hour, with specialized fields such as cardiovascular or neurosurgery reaching rates of $50-$75 per hour. Additionally, travel surgical tech contracts can yield substantial weekly salaries of $1,800-$2,800, particularly for those specializing in cardiac procedures. Moreover, hourly rates may vary across employer types in Burlington, with ambulatory surgical centers and military units often offering different rates compared to traditional hospital settings. While some surgical technologists may prioritize higher hourly wages, they might sacrifice health insurance benefits that come with full-time hospital positions. Negotiating salaries can be advantageous for those in this area; emphasizing experience in specialty settings or certifications, such as robotic surgery, can yield better hourly offers in the competitive Burlington market.
More salary data for Burlington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for surgical technologists in Burlington in 2026?
How much do part-time surgical technologists make in Burlington?
Are surgical technologists in Burlington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time surgical technologist make per year in Burlington?
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Related Pages
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.40% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for surgical technologists in Burlington. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Burlington is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.40%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for surgical technologists (SOC 29-2055).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Thompson, BA, CST, a licensed surgical technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov