Surg Tech Salary

Charlotte vs Concord: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Charlotte, NC and Concord, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charlotte, NC
$66,918
$32.17/hr
Concord, NC
$68,014
$32.70/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlotte, NCConcord, NC
Median Salary$66,918$68,014
Hourly Rate$32.17$32.70
Entry Level (P10)$52,278$46,704
25th Percentile$57,591$55,951
75th Percentile$81,738$84,869
Top Earner (P90)$85,406$103,740
Total Employed1,17024
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlotte ($66,918) and Concord ($68,014) surgical technologist salaries.CharlotteConcordMedian Salary$66,918$68,014Entry Level (P10)$52,278$46,704Top Earner (P90)$85,406$103,740US Median $68,141

Verdict

Concord, NC offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Charlotte.

The salary gap between Charlotte and Concord is $1,096 (1.64%). Concord's median is -0.19% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charlotte spans $33,128,Concord spans $57,036. Concord has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced surgical technologists.

Charlotte
P10 (Entry)$52,278
P25$57,591
Median$66,918
P75$81,738
P90 (Top)$85,406
Concord
P10 (Entry)$46,704
P25$55,951
Median$68,014
P75$84,869
P90 (Top)$103,740

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Concord ($72,665 effective) pays 5.71% more than Charlotte ($68,741 effective).

Charlotte
Nominal: $66,918
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $68,741
Concord
Nominal: $68,014
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $72,665

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charlotte if…

  • Larger job market (1,170 employed)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Concord if…

  • Higher median salary ($68,014/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($103,740)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,665)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Charlotte grew 51.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 24.4% growth in Concord over the same period.

Charlotte, NC

+51.5%

$41,900 (2019) → $63,490 (2025)

Concord, NC

+24.4%

$51,885 (2024) → $64,529 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Charlotte or Concord?

Concord has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $68,014/year, compared to Charlotte at $66,918/year — a difference of $1,096 (1.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlotte and Concord?

Charlotte surgical technologists earn $32.17/hr while Concord hygienists earn $32.70/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charlotte to Concord as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlotte and Concord. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlotte = $68,741, Concord = $72,665), job availability (1,170 vs 24 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Charlotte vs Concord?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $52,278 in Charlotte and $46,704 in Concord. The Charlotte area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JT

Written by Jessica Thompson, BA, CST

Career Analyst

Jessica has over 10 years of experience as a surgical technologist. She specializes in orthopedic surgical procedures. Jessica works at a community hospital.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Ramirez, AAS, CSTData verified by Fatima Ali, BS, CST

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.40% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jessica Thompson, BA, CST, a licensed surgical technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov