Surgical Technologist Salary in North Dakota: $64,810 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Dakota's 8 metropolitan areas, the average median surgical technologist pay sits at $64,810/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2055. Because North Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.0 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $70,446 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Fargo ($62,360), Bismarck ($61,690), Grand Forks ($61,190).
In North Dakota, surgical technologists can expect an average median salary of $64,809 in 2026, which is approximately 4.9% lower than the national median of $68,141. The highest salaries are found in Fargo at $65,727, while Mandan offers the lowest at $58,592, demonstrating a significant salary gap of $7,135. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the presence of larger medical facilities in urban areas like Fargo. North Dakota has specific licensing requirements and regulations that govern the practice of surgical technology. Technologists must adhere to state scope of practice laws which outline their responsibilities and duties. The job outlook for surgical technologists in the state is positive, with an expected growth rate of 5.40% through 2026. This growth is driven by an increase in surgical procedures and a continual need for skilled personnel in healthcare settings across the state. Given the total employment of 339 surgical technologists, opportunities exist within the state's various metro areas. Cities like Bismarck and Grand Forks also offer competitive salaries, with projected earnings of $65,021 and $64,494, respectively, making North Dakota a viable option for individuals pursuing this career.
North Dakota Surgical Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Dakota: $43,356 (lowest entry-level) to $92,588 (highest top earner)
North Dakota vs National Average
North Dakota surgical technologists earn 4.89% less than the national median ($-3,331/year difference).
North Dakota Surgical Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Surgical Technologist salaries in North Dakota range from $53,418 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $76,110 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $64,810. The North Dakota median is $3,331 below the US national median of $68,141. The average hourly rate is $31.16/hr. Approximately 339 surgical technologists are employed across 8 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,054
2025 BLS Actual
$61,489
2026 Current Est.
$64,810
2019–2027 Growth
+51.6%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in North Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,054 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,831 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,479 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,201 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,537 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,489 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,810 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,309 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Dakota metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 36.5% from $45,054 (2019) to $61,489 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,309 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,255 (51.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Dakota 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in North Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Mandan | $58,592 |
| Williston | $59,819 |
| Dickinson | $61,299 |
| Minot | $61,565 |
| West Fargo | $61,609 |
Best Value Cities for Surgical Technologists in North Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for surgical technologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks | $64,494 | 86.663 | $74,419 |
| Fargo | $65,727 | 90.871 | $72,330 |
| Bismarck | $65,021 | 91.024 | $71,433 |
| West Fargo | $61,609 | 92 | $66,966 |
| Minot | $61,565 | 92 | $66,918 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $53,418 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $64,810 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $76,110 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 8 Cities in North Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fargo | $65,727 |
| 2 | Bismarck | $65,021 |
| 3 | Grand Forks | $64,494 |
| 4 | West Fargo | $61,609 |
| 5 | Minot | $61,565 |
| 6 | Dickinson | $61,299 |
| 7 | Williston | $59,819 |
| 8 | Mandan | $58,592 |
More North Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore surgical technologist hourly pay in North Dakota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced surgical technologists.
Explore More Surgical Technologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in North Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for surgical technologists in North Dakota?
How does North Dakota surgical technologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level surgical technologist salary in North Dakota?
How many surgical technologists are employed in North Dakota?
Which North Dakota city offers the best value for surgical technologists?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.40% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 surgical technologist compensation across North Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 8 metro areas — larger metro areas with more surgical technologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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