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

A typical Surgical Tech in North Dakota earns about $29.63 an hour ($61,640 a year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). That breaks down to roughly $5,137 a month and $1,185 a week, both calculated from the annual figure. Take-home pay depends on the hospital or surgical center and the shift worked.

That figure sits about 5% below the national typical pay of $64,650 a year. Among the 51 states and D.C., North Dakota ranks 34th for Surgical Tech pay. The state's 370 Surgical Techs make up a small workforce compared with the national total of 117,460.

Entry-level positions in North Dakota typically offer around $24.25 an hour ($50,440 a year), per May 2025 wage data. Pay generally moves up from there within the first few years on the job, reaching roughly $25.46 an hour ($52,950 a year) as techs gain experience. Many new hires reach the state's typical pay of $61,640 a year within several years in the operating room.

Experienced Surgical Techs in North Dakota often earn upwards of $30.16 an hour ($62,730 a year), and the top 10% make over $34.67 an hour ($72,120 a year). That leaves a spread of $21,680 between entry-level and top-tier pay. The gap generally comes down to years of experience, the type of surgical setting, and which city a tech works in.

North Dakota's typical Surgical Tech pay has climbed from $39,090 in 2015 to $61,640 in 2025, a gain of $22,550. That amounts to a 58% rise over the decade, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Most of that increase has come since 2020, as pay moved from just over $50,000 to its current level.

Nationally, Surgical Tech pay rose 46% over the same ten years, so North Dakota's gain outpaced the national trend. For someone starting now, that decade of growth means typical pay is meaningfully higher than it was just a few years back. Past growth is not a guarantee of future increases, but pay has moved higher over time.

Pay runs highest in Fargo, where Surgical Techs typically earn $62,360 a year ($29.98 an hour), about 1% above the state figure. That figure reflects the greater Fargo metro area, not the city alone. Bismarck follows closely at $61,690 a year ($29.66 an hour).

Grand Forks pays the least among the state's three metro areas, at $61,190 a year ($29.42 an hour), a spread of just $1,170 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities. Fargo also has the largest Surgical Tech workforce in the state, with 170 employed compared with 80 in Bismarck and 50 in Grand Forks. Differences between cities are modest and generally track local living costs rather than anything else.

Among neighboring states, Minnesota pays Surgical Techs the most, at $80,210 a year, about 30% higher than North Dakota. South Dakota pays somewhat less, at $59,870 a year, roughly 3% below North Dakota, while Montana sits close behind at $60,970 a year, about 1% below. Surgical Tech licensure or certification earned in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, though requirements vary.

North Dakota Surgical Techs typically earn $61,640 a year ($29.63 an hour) as of May 2025, up 58% from a decade earlier. Pay is highest in Fargo and lowest in Grand Forks, with modest differences between the state's cities. Readers weighing a move or a new role can check North Dakota's licensing or registry requirements and compare local pay on individual city pages for a fuller picture.