Surgical Technologist Salary in Fargo, ND: $65,727 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Fargo, ND earns a median $65,727/year (≈ $31.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Fargo's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $72,330 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% above the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Fargo, North Dakota offers competitive compensation for surgical technologists, with a median annual salary projected to be $65,727 in 2026. This figure falls slightly below the national median of $68,141, indicating a minor regional pay disparity. The salaries for this role in Fargo show a range from $55,472 at the 10th percentile to $75,213 at the 90th percentile, reflecting varied opportunities based on experience and specialization. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, illustrating the city's healthcare climate. With several hospitals and specialty centers servicing the community, surgical technologists have access to numerous roles that influence their earning potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,472 | $26.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,851 | $30.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,727 | $31.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,727 | $31.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,213 | $36.16 |
Median Salary Position
3.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fargo
In Fargo, ND, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,741 (2026 est.). At $65,727, the local median is 3.54% below the national median of $68,141.
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At 40 hours/week in Fargo: You'd be above the median
How Fargo Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Fargo median: $65,727/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fargo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $62,717 | +4.80% more |
| National Average | $68,141 | -3.54% less |
Surgical Technologists in Fargo, ND earn a median of $65,727 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.54% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 4.80% above the North Dakota state average of $62,717.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fargo has a cost of living 9.13% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fargo, ND has a cost-of-living index of 90.871 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $65,727 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,330 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,670
2025 BLS Actual
$62,360
2026 Current Est.
$65,727
2019–2027 Growth
+62.4%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Fargo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,670 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,380 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,400 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,960 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,360 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,727 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,277 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fargo metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 46.1% from $42,670 (2019) to $62,360 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,277 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,607 (62.36%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fargo 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) | $55,472 – $63,851 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,851 – $65,727 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,727 – $65,727 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,727 – $75,213 |
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 Fargo
In the Fargo job market, around 170 surgical technologists are employed, contributing to a strong local workforce. The city’s cost of living index, which stands at 90.871, indicates a lower economic strain compared to the national average, enhancing the take-home purchasing power of surgical technologists in Fargo. Among local employers, hospitals generally offer the highest pay, particularly for those engaging in specialty fields such as orthopedic, cardiothoracic, and neuro surgery. This pay disparity can be attributed to factors such as specialty focus, the need for certifications in robotic surgery, call coverage expenses, and the demands of high-stress environments like trauma centers. To maximize pay in this market, surgical technologists should consider pursuing additional certifications, seeking positions in high-demand specialties, or even exploring opportunities as traveling surgical technicians, which often come with premium rates that can significantly impact overall income.
More salary data for Fargo, ND:
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 $62,360 for surgical technologistsin the Fargo 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, 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