Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay in Charleston, SC: $30.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a surgical technologist working in Charleston, SC runs $30.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,156 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Weighted against Charleston's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.0, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.08 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,896 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charleston, South Carolina, surgical technologists earn a median hourly rate of $30.37, which falls below the national average of $32.76. This rate reflects the compensation for those operating in various settings, including hospitals' main operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical environments. For part-time workers, such as those on a three-day-a-week schedule, this translates to a decent income while allowing them to balance their professional and personal lives. The hourly earnings for surgical technologists can range from $24.01 at entry-level positions to approximately $35.02 for highly experienced practitioners in the field. These figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected for 2026, highlight the financial parameters within which surgical techs operate in Charleston.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.01 | $192.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.24 | $225.89 |
| Median (P50) | $30.37 | $242.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.02 | $280.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.02 | $280.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charleston
Based on $30.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.37/hr, a surgical technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charleston, SC can expect to earn approximately $63,161 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,439. With a cost-of-living index of 100.96 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Charleston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charleston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,214.63 | $5,263 | $63,161 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $728.78 | $3,158 | $37,896 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $485.85 | $2,105 | $25,264 |
Compare Surg Tech, CST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Surgical Technologist (Charleston) | $30.37 |
| 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 Charleston, SC earn a median of $63,156 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.32% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 4.60% below the South Carolina state average of $66,201.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.37/hr = $37,896/year (purchasing power: $37,535).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,161/year (purchasing power: $62,559).
CoL index: 100.962 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$19.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+60.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.90/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.73/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for surgical technologists in Charleston grew 44.8% from $19.90/hr (2019) to $28.81/hr (2025). At a 5.40% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.01/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 Charleston 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 Charleston
Assessing earning potential offers insights beyond mere hourly rates. A surgical technologist working part-time for three days a week, totaling 24 hours, could anticipate an estimated annual income less than that of full-time counterparts, yet it still represents a significant figure when combined with other sources. Per diem surgical technologist pay in Charleston is notably lucrative, with rates typically ranging from $35 to $55 per hour, depending on the complexity of the procedures. For specialized fields such as cardiovascular or neurosurgery, per diem rates can peak between $50 and $75. Additionally, contract positions for travel surgical technologists might yield weekly earnings of upwards of $1,800 to $2,800 for high-demand specialties. However, these higher hourly wages often come without benefits, prompting many to weigh the trade-offs between securing health insurance and opting for higher pay. For hourly workers in Charleston, negotiating for better rates or favorable shifts can significantly impact long-term career satisfaction and income viability.
More salary data for Charleston, SC:
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 Charleston. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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