Surg Tech Salary

Charlotte vs Thomasville: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Charlotte, NC
$66,918
$32.17/hr
Thomasville, NC
$62,983
$30.28/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlotte, NCThomasville, NC
Median Salary$66,918$62,983
Hourly Rate$32.17$30.28
Entry Level (P10)$52,278$44,897
25th Percentile$57,591$52,762
75th Percentile$81,738$74,962
Top Earner (P90)$85,406$94,476
Total Employed1,1704
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlotte ($66,918) and Thomasville ($62,983) surgical technologist salaries.CharlotteThomasvilleMedian Salary$66,918$62,983Entry Level (P10)$52,278$44,897Top Earner (P90)$85,406$94,476US Median $68,141

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Charlotte and Thomasville is $3,935 (6.25%). Charlotte's median is -1.79% 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,Thomasville spans $49,579. Thomasville 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
Thomasville
P10 (Entry)$44,897
P25$52,762
Median$62,983
P75$74,962
P90 (Top)$94,476

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charlotte ($68,741 effective) pays 2.16% more than Thomasville ($67,290 effective).

Charlotte
Nominal: $66,918
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $68,741
Thomasville
Nominal: $62,983
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $67,290

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charlotte if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,918/year)
  • Larger job market (1,170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,741)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Thomasville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($94,476)
  • 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 20.5% growth in Thomasville over the same period.

Charlotte, NC

+51.5%

$41,900 (2019) → $63,490 (2025)

Thomasville, NC

+20.5%

$49,587 (2024) → $59,756 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Charlotte or Thomasville?

Charlotte has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $66,918/year, compared to Thomasville at $62,983/year — a difference of $3,935 (6.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlotte and Thomasville?

Charlotte surgical technologists earn $32.17/hr while Thomasville hygienists earn $30.28/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlotte and Thomasville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlotte = $68,741, Thomasville = $67,290), job availability (1,170 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $52,278 in Charlotte and $44,897 in Thomasville. 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