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Surgical Technologist in North Dakota: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

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North Dakota employs 370 surgical technologists, with a statewide median of $61,640 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact North Dakota licensing picture, and where to train.

What Surgical technologists Earn in North Dakota (May 2025)

North Dakota median pay: $61,640 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $50,440
Experienced (75th percentile): $62,730
Top earners (90th percentile): $72,120
Employed in North Dakota: 370
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,830 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for surgical technologists in major North Dakota markets:

Fargo: $62,360 (170 employed)
Bismarck: $61,690 (80 employed)
Grand Forks: $61,190 (50 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in North Dakota

Prices in North Dakota run about 11% below the national average (cost-of-living index 89.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $61,640 median stretches to roughly $69,258 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in North Dakota (2024–2034)

North Dakota is projected to grow surgical technologists employment +11.7%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 20 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

North Dakota License and Certification Requirements

No state license; Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) — regulated by the No North Dakota state license — NBSTSA certification is the standard.

North Dakota does not license surgical technologists.
Complete a CAAHEP-accredited surgical technology program (~1–2 years).
Earn the NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential — the hiring standard.

Official requirements: No North Dakota state license — NBSTSA certification is the standard →

Training in North Dakota

Confirm a program's CAAHEP accreditation and CST pass rate before enrolling; hospital systems hire steadily.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in North Dakota include:

Bismarck State College — Certificate / Associate
Dakota College at Bottineau — Certificate / Associate
North Dakota State College of Science — Certificate / Associate
Rasmussen University-North Dakota — Associate

Where Surgical technologists Work in North Dakota

Real North Dakota surgery centers that employ surgical technologists include:

Northern Plains Surgery Center — Fargo
Bismarck Surgical Associates — Bismarck
Brightside Surgical — Bismarck
Dakota Surgery & Laser Center — Bismarck
Sanford Health Dickinson Ambulatory Surgery Center — Dickinson
Cpm Surgery Center — Fargo

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 Dakota?

The median wage for surgical technologists in North Dakota is $61,640 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $50,440, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $72,120. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Surgical Technologist in North Dakota?

No state license; Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), overseen by the No North Dakota state license — NBSTSA certification is the standard. North Dakota does not license surgical technologists.

Is being a Surgical Technologist a good career in North Dakota?

Operating room support is in-person, procedural, sterile, team-based, and high accountability.

Which North Dakota metros pay surgical technologists the most?

Among North Dakota metro areas, Fargo leads at $62,360, followed by Bismarck ($61,690), Grand Forks ($61,190). 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 Dakota?

Real North Dakota options include Bismarck State College, Dakota College at Bottineau, North Dakota State College of Science. 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 Dakota?

North Dakota projects surgical technologists employment to change +11.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 20 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 Dakota statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2055. Licensing summary compiled from the No North Dakota state license — NBSTSA certification is the 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 Dakota wages · North Dakota 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.