Surgical Technologist Salary in South Carolina: $63,989 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Carolina's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median surgical technologist pay sits at $63,989/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2055. Because South Carolina sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $69,933 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Florence ($67,080), Greer ($64,571), Anderson ($64,505).
As of 2026, the average median salary for surgical technologists in South Carolina is projected to be $63,989, which is approximately 6.1% lower than the national median of $68,141. Salaries across the state vary significantly, with Florence offering the highest average at $70,702, while Conway presents the lowest at $50,476—a difference of $20,226. This variance is influenced by factors such as the cost of living, demand for surgical services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in particular areas. South Carolina's licensing requirements and scope of practice laws for surgical technologists are relatively straightforward, with a focus on ensuring competency through education and practical experience rather than extensive regulation. The state's job market for surgical technologists is projected to grow at an annual rate of 5.40%, reflecting an increasing demand for surgical procedures and advancements in medical technologies. Overall, the outlook for surgical technologists in South Carolina indicates steady employment opportunities, especially in cities like Greer, Anderson, Mount Pleasant, and Spartanburg, where salaries also reflect higher demand and cost of living considerations. With a total employment figure of 2,359 surgical technologists in the state, prospects remain promising for those entering the field.
South Carolina Surgical Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Carolina: $34,044 (lowest entry-level) to $101,425 (highest top earner)
South Carolina vs National Average
South Carolina surgical technologists earn 6.09% less than the national median ($-4,152/year difference).
South Carolina Surgical Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Surgical Technologist salaries in South Carolina range from $49,179 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $78,052 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $63,989. The South Carolina median is $4,152 below the US national median of $68,141. The average hourly rate is $30.76/hr. Approximately 2,359 surgical technologists are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$40,263
2025 BLS Actual
$60,711
2026 Current Est.
$63,989
2019–2027 Growth
+67.5%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in South Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,263 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,088 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,778 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,062 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,307 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,993 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,711 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,989 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,444 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Carolina metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 50.8% from $40,263 (2019) to $60,711 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,444 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,181 (67.51%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Carolina 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 South Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in South Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Conway | $50,476 |
| Myrtle Beach | $51,425 |
| Clemson | $60,962 |
| Tega Cay | $61,077 |
| Easley | $61,416 |
Best Value Cities for Surgical Technologists in South Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for surgical technologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florence | $70,702 | 86.774 | $81,478 |
| Greer | $68,058 | 91.5 | $74,380 |
| Anderson | $67,988 | 91.5 | $74,304 |
| Spartanburg | $67,003 | 91.051 | $73,588 |
| Mount Pleasant | $67,172 | 91.5 | $73,412 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $49,179 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $63,989 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $78,052 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in South Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florence | $70,702 |
| 2 | Greer | $68,058 |
| 3 | Anderson | $67,988 |
| 4 | Mount Pleasant | $67,172 |
| 5 | Spartanburg | $67,003 |
| 6 | Greenville | $66,455 |
| 7 | Hilton Head Island | $66,202 |
| 8 | Rock Hill | $65,935 |
| 9 | Aiken | $65,646 |
| 10 | Hanahan | $65,554 |
| 11 | Mauldin | $65,169 |
| 12 | Bluffton | $64,944 |
| 13 | Summerville | $64,819 |
| 14 | Columbia | $64,536 |
| 15 | North Charleston | $64,502 |
| 16 | Simpsonville | $63,750 |
| 17 | Fort Mill | $63,721 |
| 18 | Goose Creek | $63,571 |
| 19 | Charleston | $63,156 |
| 20 | Sumter | $63,047 |
| 21 | Lexington | $62,531 |
| 22 | Easley | $61,416 |
| 23 | Tega Cay | $61,077 |
| 24 | Clemson | $60,962 |
| 25 | Myrtle Beach | $51,425 |
| 26 | Conway | $50,476 |
More South Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore surgical technologist hourly pay in South Carolina 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 South Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for surgical technologists in South Carolina?
How does South Carolina surgical technologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level surgical technologist salary in South Carolina?
How many surgical technologists are employed in South Carolina?
Which South Carolina 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 South Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 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