Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay in Raleigh, NC: $31.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a surgical technologist working in Raleigh, NC runs $31.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,800 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Weighted against Raleigh's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.2, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,883 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Raleigh, North Carolina, surgical technologists earn a median hourly pay of $31.16, which is slightly lower than the national hourly median of $32.76. This hourly rate offers a solid wage for professionals working in varied healthcare settings, such as hospital operating rooms and specialty surgical centers. For part-time surgical technologists, typically working three days a week, this pay translates effectively into a reliable income stream, while per-diem workers have the advantage of flexible schedules that cater to their needs. Entry-level surgical technologists can expect to earn around $24.94 per hour, while top earners in the field can make as much as $39.25 per hour, according to projected data from 2025 BLS OEWS, projected to 2026.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.94 | $199.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.51 | $236.10 |
| Median (P50) | $31.16 | $249.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.78 | $302.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.25 | $314.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Raleigh
Based on $31.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.16/hr, a surgical technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Raleigh, NC can expect to earn approximately $64,805 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,387. With a cost-of-living index of 98.16 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Raleigh.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Raleigh
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,246.25 | $5,400 | $64,805 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $747.75 | $3,240 | $38,883 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $498.50 | $2,160 | $25,922 |
Compare Surg Tech, CST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Surgical Technologist (Raleigh) | $31.16 |
| 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 Raleigh, NC earn a median of $64,800 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.90% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 0.90% above the North Carolina state average of $64,222.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.16/hr = $38,883/year (purchasing power: $39,613).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,805/year (purchasing power: $66,022).
CoL index: 98.157 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.38/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Raleigh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.38/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.92/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.72/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for surgical technologists in Raleigh grew 21.2% from $24.38/hr (2019) to $29.56/hr (2025). At a 5.40% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.84/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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh
Delving deeper into the earning potential, a surgical technologist working part-time at 24 hours a week would take home around $40,000 annually based on the median hourly rate, highlighting the financial viability of this approach compared to full-time positions. Conversely, per-diem surgical technologists in Raleigh might bill anywhere from $35 to $55 per hour, with specialty roles such as cardiovascular or neuro surgical techs commanding rates between $50 and $75 per hour. Those accepting travel contracts can see weekly payments ranging from $1,800 to $2,800, particularly for cardiac surgical positions, which often come with higher premiums. Additionally, hourly rates can vary significantly depending on the employer type—hospitals typically offer stable rates, while ambulatory surgery centers or travel agencies may provide opportunities for higher wages but often without benefits. Hence, many surgical technologists must weigh the trade-off between higher hourly rates that lack health benefits against lower hourly wages that include comprehensive health coverage. For those in Raleigh looking for negotiation tips, emphasizing specialty skills, such as robotic surgery certification, can be key in securing better pay.
More salary data for Raleigh, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Raleigh. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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