Surgical Technologist Salary in Monroe, NC: $61,728 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Monroe, NC earns a median $61,728/year (≈ $29.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Monroe's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $65,949 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Monroe, North Carolina, surgical technologists are projected to earn a median annual salary of $61,728 in 2026, which falls below the national median for the same year of $68,141. This local salary range spans from $47,040 at the 10th percentile to $90,179 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse field in terms of specialization and experience among surgical technologists. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, taking into account cost-of-living adjustments in the region. Monroe's job market is particularly shaped by the presence of various healthcare facilities, including hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), and specialty surgical centers, each influencing surgical technologist pay differently.
About the Monroe Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,040 | $22.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,943 | $25.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,728 | $29.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,645 | $36.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,179 | $43.35 |
Median Salary Position
9.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Monroe
In Monroe, NC, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,139 (2026 est.). At $61,728, the local median is 9.41% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Monroe: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Monroe Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Monroe median: $61,728/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Monroe Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $64,166 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -9.41% less |
Surgical Technologists in Monroe, NC earn a median of $61,728 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.41% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 3.80% below the North Carolina state average of $64,166.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Monroe has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Monroe, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $61,728 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,949 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,754
2025 BLS Actual
$58,565
2026 Current Est.
$61,728
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Monroe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,754 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,031 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,962 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,693 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,905 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,598 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,565 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,728 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,061 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Monroe metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $43,754 (2019) to $58,565 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,061 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,307 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Monroe 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) | $47,040 – $53,943 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,943 – $61,728 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,728 – $75,645 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,645 – $90,179 |
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 Monroe
With only six surgical technologists employed in Monroe, the market is relatively small, which can impact both job opportunities and salary competitiveness. The local cost of living index of 93.6 indicates that expenses are lower than the national average, which may enhance the purchasing power of local salaries. Employers who pay higher wages are often found in hospital operating rooms and specialty surgical centers that focus on fields like orthopedic and cardiothoracic surgery. The disparity in pay can be attributed to factors such as specialization, certification in robotic surgery, call coverage requirements, and the role of surgical first assistants. To maximize earnings, surgical technologists in Monroe should consider obtaining certifications in high-demand specialties and exploring travel surgical tech opportunities, which often offer competitive pay.
More salary data for Monroe, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can surgical technologists make $100K in Monroe?
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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 $58,565 for surgical technologistsin the Monroe 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
Salary data for Monroe 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