Surgical Technologist Salary in Rocky Mount, NC: $60,679 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Rocky Mount, NC earns a median $60,679/year (≈ $29.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Rocky Mount's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.0), that paycheck buys what $68,944 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rocky Mount, NC, surgical technologists can expect a median annual salary of $60,679 in 2026, which reflects a competitive position compared to the national median of $68,141. The pay range for surgical technologists in this area spans from $44,932 at the 10th percentile to approximately $80,262 for those at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, illustrates the salary potential across different settings, including hospital operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), and specialty surgical centers. The local job structure in Rocky Mount may offer diverse opportunities, impacting salary scales significantly based on the type of health facility and corresponding case complexities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,932 | $21.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,766 | $26.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,679 | $29.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,461 | $30.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,262 | $38.59 |
Median Salary Position
10.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rocky Mount
In Rocky Mount, NC, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,330 (2026 est.). At $60,679, the local median is 10.95% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rocky Mount: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rocky Mount Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Rocky Mount median: $60,679/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rocky Mount Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $64,210 | -5.50% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -10.95% less |
Surgical Technologists in Rocky Mount, NC earn a median of $60,679 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.95% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 5.50% below the North Carolina state average of $64,210.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rocky Mount has a cost of living 11.99% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rocky Mount, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.012 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $60,679 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,944 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,011
2025 BLS Actual
$57,570
2026 Current Est.
$60,679
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Rocky Mount (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,011 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,266 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,215 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,490 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,710 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,750 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,570 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,679 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,955 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rocky Mount metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.8% from $43,011 (2019) to $57,570 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,955 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,944 (48.69%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rocky Mount 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) | $44,932 – $54,766 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,766 – $60,679 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,679 – $63,461 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,461 – $80,262 |
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 Rocky Mount
Examining the local job market, there are currently 40 surgical technologists employed in Rocky Mount, suggesting a stable demand for this profession. However, the cost of living index in the area stands at 88.012, which is notably below the national average, indicating that salaries may stretch further in terms of purchasing power. Among local employers, those working in hospital operating rooms tend to have higher pay scales, especially for roles in specialized surgery such as cardiovascular or neuro cases, which typically command premium rates. Additional qualifications, such as robotic surgery certification, can further enhance earning potential. To maximize their surgical technologist pay in Rocky Mount, aspiring professionals should focus on acquiring relevant certifications, considering roles with advanced surgical technologies, and exploring travel surgical tech opportunities that sometimes offer lucrative compensation packages.
More salary data for Rocky Mount, 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
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 $57,570 for surgical technologistsin the Rocky Mount 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, 4-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