Surgical Technologist in South Carolina: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
South Carolina employs 2,680 surgical technologists, with a statewide median of $62,160 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact South Carolina licensing picture, and where to train.
What Surgical technologists Earn in South Carolina (May 2025)
- South Carolina median pay
- $62,160 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $38,830
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $67,080
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $75,210
- Employed in South Carolina
- 2,680
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,830 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for surgical technologists in major South Carolina markets:
- Spartanburg
- $63,570 (270 employed)
- Charlotte
- $63,490 (1,170 employed)
- Greenville
- $63,050 (510 employed)
- Columbia
- $61,230 (440 employed)
- Augusta
- $60,300 (250 employed)
- Charleston
- $59,920 (380 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in South Carolina
Prices in South Carolina run about 6% below the national average (cost-of-living index 93.7 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $62,160 median stretches to roughly $66,339 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in South Carolina (2024–2034)
South Carolina is projected to grow surgical technologists employment +6.6%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 160 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
South Carolina License and Certification Requirements
No state license; Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) — regulated by the No South Carolina state license — NBSTSA certification is the standard.
- South Carolina 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 South Carolina state license — NBSTSA certification is the standard →
Training in South Carolina
Confirm a program's CAAHEP accreditation and CST pass rate before enrolling; hospital systems in Charleston, Greenville, and Columbia hire steadily.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in South Carolina include:
- Aiken Technical College — Certificate / Associate
- Central Carolina Technical College — Certificate / Associate
- Florence-Darlington Technical College — Certificate / Associate
- Greenville Technical College — Certificate / Associate
Where Surgical technologists Work in South Carolina
Real South Carolina surgery centers that employ surgical technologists include:
- Prisma Health Endoscopy Center Parkridge — Columbia
- Carolina Ambulatory Surgery Center — Aiken
- Center for Colon and Digestive Diseases, LLC — Aiken
- Anmed Health Medicus Surgery Center LLC — Anderson
- Upstate Endoscopy Center — Anderson
- Bluffton Okatie Outpatient Center — Bluffton
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 South Carolina?
The median wage for surgical technologists in South Carolina is $62,160 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $38,830, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $75,210. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Surgical Technologist in South Carolina?
No state license; Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), overseen by the No South Carolina state license — NBSTSA certification is the standard. South Carolina does not license surgical technologists.
Is being a Surgical Technologist a good career in South Carolina?
Operating room support is in-person, procedural, sterile, team-based, and high accountability.
Which South Carolina metros pay surgical technologists the most?
Among South Carolina metro areas, Spartanburg leads at $63,570, followed by Charlotte ($63,490), Greenville ($63,050). 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 South Carolina?
Real South Carolina options include Aiken Technical College, Central Carolina Technical College, Florence-Darlington Technical 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 South Carolina?
South Carolina projects surgical technologists employment to change +6.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 160 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), South Carolina statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2055. Licensing summary compiled from the No South Carolina 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 South Carolina wages · South 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.