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

A typical Surgical Tech in South Carolina earns about $29.89 per hour, or $62,160 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Based on that annual figure, pay works out to roughly $5,180 a month and about $1,195 a week. Those figures are calculated from the yearly number rather than reported separately.

South Carolina's typical pay sits about 4% below the national figures of $31.08 an hour and $64,650 a year for Surgical Techs, a gap that generally lines up with the state's lower cost of living. That puts South Carolina 33rd among the 51 states and D.C. ranked for this occupation. Around 2,680 Surgical Techs work in the state, a workforce size that puts the pay figures above in real context.

Entry-level Surgical Tech positions in South Carolina typically offer around $18.67 an hour ($38,830 a year), according to the same wage data. Pay in this range usually reflects techs who are new to the operating room or working in smaller facilities. Within a few years, most techs move up toward the state's typical pay of $62,160 a year as they gain experience and certifications.

Experienced Surgical Techs in South Carolina often earn upwards of $32.25 an hour ($67,080 a year), and the top 10% of earners make over $75,210 a year. That leaves a spread of $36,380 between entry-level and top-tier pay in the state. Setting, years of experience, and city all play a part in where an individual tech lands within that range.

South Carolina's typical Surgical Tech pay has risen from $37,200 in 2015 to $62,160 in 2025, a gain of $24,960. That amounts to a 67% increase over the decade, according to the same government wage data. The rise has been steady, with pay climbing in every year across the ten-year stretch, including a sharp jump between 2022 and 2023 when the field moved from $49,510 to $58,550.

Nationally, Surgical Tech pay rose 46% over the same ten years, meaning South Carolina's growth has outpaced the national trend. For someone starting out now, this means pay in the field has moved up substantially over the past decade, though past growth is no guarantee of future increases.

Pay runs highest in the Florence metro area, where Surgical Techs typically earn $67,080 a year ($32.25 an hour), about 8% above the statewide figure. Spartanburg and the Concord metro area (which extends into South Carolina from the Charlotte area) also pay above the state typical, at $63,570 and $63,490 a year. These figures reflect each area's full metro area rather than just the city itself.

At the other end, the Myrtle Beach area pays the least, with typical earnings of $48,790 a year ($23.46 an hour), a spread of $18,290 between the highest- and lowest-paying areas in the state. The Concord metro area, which also includes Gastonia, employs the most Surgical Techs among areas serving South Carolina, with about 1,170 workers. Pay differences like these generally track differences in local living costs rather than anything else.

South Carolina's neighbors show a mixed picture. Georgia pays Surgical Techs a bit more, with typical earnings of $64,010 a year, about 3% higher than South Carolina. North Carolina pays somewhat less, at $60,920 a year, about 2% below South Carolina's figure. Surgical Tech licensure or certification requirements can often be transferred or endorsed between neighboring states, which is worth checking before relocating for a job.

Surgical Techs in South Carolina typically earn $62,160 a year, a figure that has climbed 67% over the past decade and sits close to, though slightly below, the national typical pay. For details on licensing and certification requirements, check South Carolina's registry or licensing board page. For a closer look at local pay, the city-level pages cover metro areas like Florence, Spartanburg, and Charleston individually.