Surgical Technologist Salary in Durham, NC: $63,883 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Durham, NC earns a median $63,883/year (≈ $30.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Durham's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.6), that paycheck buys what $65,473 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Durham, North Carolina, surgical technologists can expect a median annual salary of $63,883 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $68,141. The salary range for this occupation in the area spans from $42,107 at the lower end (P10) to $86,607 at the upper end (P90). Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, these figures reflect the competitive nature of the job market, particularly within specialized fields. Surgical techs focusing on cardiovascular or neurosurgery can command significant premiums, enhancing their earning potential and making it a lucrative career option in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,107 | $20.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,405 | $25.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,883 | $30.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,220 | $34.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,607 | $41.63 |
Median Salary Position
6.25% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Durham
In Durham, NC, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,500 (2026 est.). At $63,883, the local median is 6.25% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Durham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Durham Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Durham median: $63,883/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Durham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $64,204 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -6.25% less |
Surgical Technologists in Durham, NC earn a median of $63,883 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.25% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 0.50% below the North Carolina state average of $64,204.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Durham has a cost of living 2.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Durham, NC has a cost-of-living index of 97.572 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $63,883 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,473 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,480
2025 BLS Actual
$60,610
2026 Current Est.
$63,883
2019–2027 Growth
+41.8%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Durham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,480 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,710 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,950 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,463 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,822 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,083 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,610 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,883 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,333 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Durham metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 27.7% from $47,480 (2019) to $60,610 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,333 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,853 (41.81%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Durham 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $42,107 – $52,405 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,405 – $63,883 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,883 – $72,220 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,220 – $86,607 |
Surg Tech, CST salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual surgical technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Surgical Technologist Job Market in Durham
A total of 370 surgical technologists are employed in the Durham area, reflecting a robust job market that supports this profession. The cost of living index for Durham stands at 97.572, slightly below the national average, meaning the purchasing power for surgical technologists is relatively favorable. In terms of pay, hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical units generally provide the highest wages, with trauma center designations also offering competitive compensation. The disparity in earnings can be attributed to factors such as specialty focus, call coverage requirements, and additional certification stipends, especially for those skilled in robotic surgery. To maximize their surgical technologist pay in Durham, professionals should pursue advanced certifications, specialize in high-demand areas, and consider opportunities in facilities that offer travel positions or additional pay for surgical first assistant roles.
More salary data for Durham, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $60,610 for surgical technologistsin the Durham metropolitan area. A 5.40% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-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