Surgical Technologist Salary in Wilmington, NC: $64,189 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Wilmington, NC earns a median $64,189/year (≈ $30.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $66,571 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, surgical technologists in Wilmington, North Carolina, can anticipate median annual earnings of $64,189, which falls below the national average of $68,141 by approximately 5.80%. The salary range for professionals in this field spans from $44,869 at the 10th percentile to $69,332 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from BLS OEWS surveys conducted in 2025 and projected forward, reflects an industry where specialized skills in areas such as cardiovascular and neurosurgery can significantly boost earnings. For those pursuing roles that cater to these subspecialties, the potential for premium pay is evident, making the Wilmington job market favorable for adept surgical technologists.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,869 | $21.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,173 | $25.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,189 | $30.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,190 | $31.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,332 | $33.34 |
Median Salary Position
5.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, NC, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,463 (2026 est.). At $64,189, the local median is 5.8% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Wilmington Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $64,189/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $68,141 | -5.80% less |
Surgical Technologists in Wilmington, NC earn a median of $64,189 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.80% lower than the national median of $68,141.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 3.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.422 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $64,189 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,571 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.71% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,600
2025 BLS Actual
$60,900
2026 Current Est.
$64,189
2019–2027 Growth
+75.3%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,600 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,780 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,800 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,189 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,655 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 57.8% from $38,600 (2019) to $60,900 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,655 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,055 (75.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $44,869 – $52,173 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,173 – $64,189 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,189 – $65,190 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,190 – $69,332 |
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 Wilmington
The local job market employs about 210 surgical technologists, underscoring a steady demand for skilled professionals in Wilmington, NC. With a cost-of-living index sitting at 96.422, living expenses are relatively lower than the national average, allowing for a more favorable purchasing power despite the lower salary figures. Hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and military units tend to offer the highest compensation packages, particularly for technologists proficient in robotic surgery or those who fulfill surgical first assistant roles. Variations in pay are influenced by expertise in specialized fields, call coverage requirements, and traumatic care capabilities. To maximize pay, surgical technologists in Wilmington should consider pursuing further certifications, such as the CST credential or a robotic surgery certification, to enhance their market value and appeal to top-tier employers.
More salary data for Wilmington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can surgical technologists make $100K in Wilmington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted surgical technologist salary in Wilmington?
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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 $60,900 for surgical technologistsin the Wilmington 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, 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