Surgical Technologist Salary in Charleston, SC: $63,156 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Charleston, SC earns a median $63,156/year (≈ $30.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Charleston's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.0), that paycheck buys what $62,554 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charleston, South Carolina, the projected median annual salary for surgical technologists in 2026 is $63,156, which reflects a market that remains slightly below the national average of $68,141. The salary range extends from $49,949 at the 10th percentile to $72,842 at the 90th percentile, indicating a varied landscape in surgical technologist pay Charleston SC offers. This data, sourced from BLS OEWS surveys, sheds light on the increasing demand for specialized skills within the industry, particularly in areas like cardiovascular and neurosurgery where practitioners can command a premium. The local job market for surgical technologists is ripe for those looking to expand their credentials and focus on high-demand specialties.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,949 | $24.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,718 | $28.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,156 | $30.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,842 | $35.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,842 | $35.02 |
Median Salary Position
7.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charleston
In Charleston, SC, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,893 (2026 est.). At $63,156, the local median is 7.32% below the national median of $68,141.
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At 40 hours/week in Charleston: You'd be above the median
How Charleston Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Charleston median: $63,156/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charleston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $66,201 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -7.32% less |
Surgical Technologists in Charleston, SC earn a median of $63,156 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.32% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 4.60% below the South Carolina state average of $66,201.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charleston has a cost of living 0.96% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charleston, SC has a cost-of-living index of 100.962 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $63,156 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,554 — a 0.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,400
2025 BLS Actual
$59,920
2026 Current Est.
$63,156
2019–2027 Growth
+60.8%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,020 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,156 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,566 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charleston metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 44.7% from $41,400 (2019) to $59,920 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,566 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,166 (60.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charleston 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) | $49,949 – $58,718 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,718 – $63,156 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,156 – $72,842 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,842 – $72,842 |
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 Charleston
Charleston's local employment environment is favorable, with approximately 380 surgical technologists currently working in the area. The cost-of-living index at 100.962 signals that while Charleston is slightly above the national average, prospective surgical technologists should consider the take-home pay relative to living expenses. Employers such as hospital operating rooms, specialty surgical centers, and military surgical units tend to offer higher compensation, especially for those with advanced certifications like robotic surgery or roles as surgical first assistants. Factors contributing to the wage range include specialty focus—salaries tend to grow with expertise in cardiovascular or neurosurgery over general surgery—as well as variables like call coverage and trauma center designation. To maximize pay in Charleston, surgical technologists would do well to pursue certifications and seek opportunities in those higher-paying settings while remaining adaptable to the evolving demands of surgical technology.
More salary data for Charleston, SC:
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 $59,920 for surgical technologistsin the Charleston 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