Surgical Technologist Salary in Wake Forest, NC: $63,295 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Wake Forest, NC earns a median $63,295/year (≈ $30.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Wake Forest's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $67,623 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Surgical technologists in Wake Forest, North Carolina, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $63,295 in 2026. This figure, while slightly below the national median of $68,141, reflects a diverse salary range from $47,322 at the 10th percentile to as high as $96,077 at the 90th percentile. Estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost-of-living factors, indicate that the surgical technologist pay in Wake Forest NC presents opportunities for growth, especially as robotic surgery certification becomes increasingly prevalent. The demand for highly specialized techs, particularly those with credentials like CST or CSFA, could potentially enhance earning capacity in the local job market.
About the Wake Forest Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,322 | $22.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,443 | $25.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,295 | $30.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,059 | $38.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,077 | $46.19 |
Median Salary Position
7.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wake Forest
In Wake Forest, NC, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,755 (2026 est.). At $63,295, the local median is 7.11% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wake Forest: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wake Forest Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Wake Forest median: $63,295/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wake Forest Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $64,194 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -7.11% less |
Surgical Technologists in Wake Forest, NC earn a median of $63,295 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.11% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 1.40% below the North Carolina state average of $64,194.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wake Forest 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.
Wake Forest, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $63,295 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,623 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,865
2025 BLS Actual
$60,052
2026 Current Est.
$63,295
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Wake Forest (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,865 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,175 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,078 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,980 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,299 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,832 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,052 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,295 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,713 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wake Forest metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $44,865 (2019) to $60,052 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,713 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,848 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wake Forest 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) | $47,322 – $53,443 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,443 – $63,295 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,295 – $79,059 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,059 – $96,077 |
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 Wake Forest
In terms of the job market, Wake Forest currently employs nine surgical technologists, which although modest, signals a community commencing to embrace advanced surgical techniques. The cost-of-living index stands at 93.6, suggesting a lower-than-average economic environment that enhances the local purchasing power of surgical technologists. Employment in hospital operating rooms tends to offer the highest salaries, followed closely by ambulatory surgery centers and specialized surgical centers in fields like orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery. Factors influencing the salary spread include the type of specialty—cardiovascular and neurosurgery roles usually commanding higher wages—as well as certifications in robotic surgery, which can provide substantial stipend opportunities. To maximize earnings, surgical technologists in Wake Forest may consider pursuing further specialization or certifications, such as those offered by AST and NBSTSA, which not only meet the federal hiring standard but also position them favorably within the job market.
More salary data for Wake Forest, 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 $60,052 for surgical technologistsin the Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest 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