How Much Does a Surgical Tech Make in North Carolina in 2026?

A typical Surgical Tech in North Carolina earns about $29.29 per hour ($60,920 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from that annual figure, pay works out to roughly $5,077 a month and $1,172 a week. These figures represent typical pay across the state's operating rooms and surgical centers, from small community hospitals to large medical centers.

That figure sits 6% below the national typical pay of $64,650 a year, placing North Carolina 38th among the 51 states and territories ranked for this occupation. Lower pay in North Carolina generally tracks a lower cost of living compared with higher-paying states. Around 4,400 Surgical Techs work across North Carolina, a workforce large enough to support hospitals and surgical centers in both major cities and smaller communities.

Entry-level positions in North Carolina typically offer around $22.11 an hour, or about $45,990 a year, for Surgical Techs just starting out. This is common in the first year or two on the job, often in smaller facilities or general surgery units. Pay typically moves up toward the typical figure of $29.29 an hour within a few years, as new hires gain experience with more complex procedures.

Experienced Surgical Techs in North Carolina often earn upwards of $32.94 an hour, or roughly $68,520 a year. The top 10% of earners make over $78,650 a year, or more than $37.81 an hour, in specialized surgical settings like cardiovascular or neurosurgery units. The gap between entry-level and top pay comes to $32,660, a spread shaped by years of experience, the surgical specialty, and the hospital or city where the job is based.

North Carolina Surgical Techs saw typical pay rise from $38,960 in 2015 to $60,920 in 2025, a gain of $21,960 over the decade. That amounts to a 56% increase in typical pay over ten years. The rise was not perfectly even year to year, with the sharpest jumps coming after 2022, as pay climbed from $49,220 to $58,710 within two years.

Nationally, typical pay for this occupation rose 46% over the same ten years, meaning North Carolina's pay grew faster than the national trend even though it remains below the national figure. For someone entering the field now, this history shows pay has moved up steadily over the past decade. It offers no guarantee of future increases, but the direction has been consistently upward.

Pay runs highest in the Greenville metro area, where Surgical Techs typically earn $76,820 a year, about 26% above the state figure. Fayetteville follows at $65,660 a year, and Asheville is close behind at $65,450 a year. Each of these figures reflects pay across the full metro area, not just the city center.

Pinehurst has the lowest typical pay in the state at $56,510 a year, putting the spread between the highest- and lowest-paying cities at $20,310. Charlotte employs the most Surgical Techs of any city, with 1,170 workers earning a typical $63,490 a year. Pay differences between cities often line up with differences in local living costs, with higher-paying metro areas generally costing more to live in.

North Carolina's Surgical Tech pay compares closely with its neighbors. Virginia pays the most among them, with Surgical Techs typically earning $67,580 a year, about 11% above North Carolina. Georgia and South Carolina also pay slightly more, at $64,010 and $62,160. Tennessee comes in just below North Carolina at $60,530. Surgical Tech licensure or certification requirements in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, which can simplify a move across state lines.

Surgical Techs in North Carolina typically earn $60,920 a year ($29.29 an hour), a figure that has climbed 56% over the past decade. Pay varies by city, experience, and surgical specialty, so readers weighing a move or a new role should check the North Carolina Board or relevant surgical technology registry for licensing requirements, and review city-specific pages for local pay figures before making a decision.