Surgical Technologist in North Carolina: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
North Carolina employs 4,400 surgical technologists, with a statewide median of $60,920 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact North Carolina licensing picture, and where to train.
What Surgical technologists Earn in North Carolina (May 2025)
- North Carolina median pay
- $60,920 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $45,990
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $68,520
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $78,650
- Employed in North Carolina
- 4,400
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,830 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for surgical technologists in major North Carolina markets:
- Asheville
- $65,450 (160 employed)
- Charlotte metro
- $63,490 (1,170 employed)
- Raleigh
- $61,480 (560 employed)
- Winston-Salem
- $60,920 (480 employed)
- Durham–Chapel Hill
- $60,610 (370 employed)
- Greensboro
- $59,070 (340 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in North Carolina
Prices in North Carolina run about 6% below the national average (cost-of-living index 94.3 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $60,920 median stretches to roughly $64,602 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in North Carolina (2024–2034)
North Carolina is projected to grow surgical technologists employment +9.9%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 260 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
North Carolina License and Certification Requirements
CST certification — required by most NC hospitals, not by law — regulated by the No NC license or certification law — employer standard.
- North Carolina has no surgical tech law — but the major systems (Duke, UNC, Atrium, Novant) require or strongly prefer CST certification.
- Complete a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program (9–24 months).
- Pass the CST exam (NBSTSA).
Official requirements: No NC license or certification law — employer standard →
Training in North Carolina
NC community colleges run accredited programs at low cost, and the state's hospital systems are expanding ORs to match population growth.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in North Carolina include:
- Alamance Community College — Associate
- Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College — Certificate / Associate
- Beaufort County Community College — Associate
- Bladen Community College — Associate
Where Surgical technologists Work in North Carolina
Real North Carolina surgery centers that employ surgical technologists include:
- Southpoint Surgery Center — Durham
- Triangle Vascular Surgery Center — Durham
- High Point Surgery Center — High Point
- Metrolina Vascular Access Care, LLC — Charlotte
- Digestive Health Specialists, PA — Advance
- Asheville Eye Surgery Center — Asheville
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: Focused people who like structured clinical environments and precise routines.
Think twice if: Blood, surgery, standing for long cases, or high-pressure teams are dealbreakers.
Why it's resilient: Operating room support is in-person, procedural, sterile, team-based, and high accountability.
First Steps
Look for accredited surgical technology programs and clinical placement details.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in North Carolina?
The median wage for surgical technologists in North Carolina is $60,920 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $45,990, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $78,650. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Surgical Technologist in North Carolina?
CST certification — required by most NC hospitals, not by law, overseen by the No NC license or certification law — employer standard. North Carolina has no surgical tech law — but the major systems (Duke, UNC, Atrium, Novant) require or strongly prefer CST certification.
Is being a Surgical Technologist a good career in North Carolina?
Operating room support is in-person, procedural, sterile, team-based, and high accountability.
Which North Carolina metros pay surgical technologists the most?
Among North Carolina metro areas, Asheville leads at $65,450, followed by Charlotte metro ($63,490), Raleigh ($61,480). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become a Surgical Technologist in North Carolina?
Real North Carolina options include Alamance Community College, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Beaufort County Community College. Most surgical technologists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Surgical Technologist a growing career in North Carolina?
North Carolina projects surgical technologists employment to change +9.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 260 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), North Carolina statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2055. Licensing summary compiled from the No NC license or certification law — employer standard (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET North Carolina wages · North Carolina licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.