Surgical Technologist Salary in Asheville, NC: $68,984 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Asheville, NC earns a median $68,984/year (≈ $33.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Asheville's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.5), that paycheck buys what $71,482 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Asheville, North Carolina, the surgical technologist salary is quite competitive, with a median annual pay of $68,984, which slightly surpasses the national median of $68,141. Professionals can expect a salary range from $46,081 at the lower end to $86,881 at the higher end, as projected based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. This robust earning potential reflects the structural choices within the healthcare sector in Asheville, where surgical technologists find diverse opportunities in hospital operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical facilities. As the demand for skilled surgical technologists continues to grow, particularly with the increasing prevalence of specialized surgical procedures, the job market in Asheville is positioned for strong development.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,081 | $22.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,048 | $29.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,984 | $33.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,427 | $41.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,881 | $41.77 |
Median Salary Position
1.24% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Asheville
In Asheville, NC, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,800 (2026 est.). At $68,984, the local median is 1.24% above the national median of $68,141.
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How Asheville Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Asheville median: $68,984/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Asheville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $64,171 | +7.50% more |
| National Average | $68,141 | +1.24% more |
Surgical Technologists in Asheville, NC earn a median of $68,984 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.24% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 7.50% above the North Carolina state average of $64,171.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Asheville has a cost of living 3.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Asheville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.506 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $68,984 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,482 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,898
2025 BLS Actual
$65,450
2026 Current Est.
$68,984
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Asheville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,898 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,830 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,790 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,790 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,450 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,984 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,709 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Asheville metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $48,898 (2019) to $65,450 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,709 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,811 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Asheville 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $46,081 – $61,048 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,048 – $68,984 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,984 – $85,427 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,427 – $86,881 |
Surg Tech, CST salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual surgical technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Surgical Technologist Job Market in Asheville
Employment opportunities for surgical technologists in Asheville are significant, with around 160 individuals currently working in this field. The cost of living index in the area stands at 96.506, indicating that living expenses are lower than the national average, which enhances the purchasing power of local surgical technologist pay. Among the various employers, hospitals typically offer the highest wages, while ambulatory surgery centers and specialty centers in fields like orthopedic and cardiovascular surgery also provide competitive compensation. The disparity in pay is influenced by factors such as specialization, certification in robotic surgery, and additional roles like surgical first assistants. For those looking to improve their earnings, obtaining advanced certifications, particularly in high-demand specialties or robotic technology, can significantly enhance pay prospects in the Asheville area.
More salary data for Asheville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can surgical technologists make $100K in Asheville?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $65,450 for surgical technologistsin the Asheville metropolitan area. A 5.40% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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