Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay in Garner, NC: $29.61 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a surgical technologist working in Garner, NC runs $29.61 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,588 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Weighted against Garner's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,949 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median hourly pay of $29.61, surgical technologists in Garner, North Carolina, earn a competitive wage, though it falls below the national hourly median of $32.76. This rate is significant for both full-time and part-time positions, offering ample opportunity for earnings in various surgical settings. For those working part-time at three days a week, the pay can create a comfortable supplemental income, especially in bustling environments such as hospital operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and trauma suites. The hourly pay range varies from $22.37 for entry-level surgical technologists to $44.25 for experienced professionals, reflecting a broad spectrum of experience and responsibility. These hourly figures have been derived from annual salary data, and they illustrate the diversity of earning potential within the surgical technology field in Garner.
About the Garner Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.37 | $178.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.79 | $206.33 |
| Median (P50) | $29.61 | $236.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.83 | $294.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.25 | $353.98 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Garner
Based on $29.61/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.61/hr, a surgical technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Garner, NC can expect to earn approximately $61,582 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,528. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Garner.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Garner
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,184.27 | $5,132 | $61,582 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $710.56 | $3,079 | $36,949 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $473.71 | $2,053 | $24,633 |
Compare Surg Tech, CST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Surgical Technologist (Garner) | $29.61 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.36 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
| Radiologic Technologist (National Avg) | $36.78 |
Surgical Technologists in Garner, NC earn a median of $61,588 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.62% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 4.10% below the North Carolina state average of $64,221.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.61/hr = $36,949/year (purchasing power: $39,476).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,582/year (purchasing power: $65,793).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.99/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.09/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.61/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Garner (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.99/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.09/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.61/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for surgical technologists in Garner grew 33.9% from $20.99/hr (2019) to $28.09/hr (2025). At a 5.40% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.21/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem surgical technologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Garner metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.40% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Surgical Technologist in Garner
Part-time surgical technologists can see a substantial difference in annual earnings when working a 3-day week, resulting in an approximate take-home that reflects their reduced hours compared to full-time colleagues. Those taking on per diem roles could experience higher hourly earnings, often billing between $35 and $55, with specialized areas such as cardiovascular and neurosurgery commanding rates as high as $50 to $75 per hour. Travel surgical technologists, particularly in high-demand specialties, can fetch weekly contracts ranging from $1,800 to $2,800, highlighting the lucrative opportunities available. In Garner, the hourly rates may vary based on the type of employer, from hospitals to specialty surgical centers. The decision to accept a lower hourly rate for positions offering benefits versus the appeal of higher pay without insurance reflects a common trade-off many face. Negotiating pay rates in local job markets demands a solid understanding of these dynamics, along with clear communication of the specialist's experience and the value they bring to surgical teams.
More salary data for Garner, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.40% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for surgical technologists in Garner. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Garner is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.40%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for surgical technologists (SOC 29-2055).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Thompson, BA, CST, a licensed surgical technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov