Surgical Technologist Salary in Tega Cay, SC: $61,077 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Tega Cay, SC earns a median $61,077/year (≈ $29.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Tega Cay's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $66,751 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.7% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

As robotic surgery certification continues to gain traction, the surgical technologist salary in Tega Cay, SC, reflects an evolving job market. In 2026, professionals in this field can expect a median annual salary of $61,077, with earnings potentially ranging from $47,016 at the lower end to $85,349 for those at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and take into account regional cost variations. This salary offering, while lower than the national median of $68,141, indicates a competitive compensation structure tailored to the needs of the local healthcare landscape, particularly as the demand for surgical technologists with specialized skills rises.
About the Tega Cay Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,016 | $22.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,482 | $25.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,077 | $29.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,987 | $35.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,349 | $41.03 |
Median Salary Position
10.37% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tega Cay
In Tega Cay, SC, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,333 (2026 est.). At $61,077, the local median is 10.37% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tega Cay: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tega Cay Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Tega Cay median: $61,077/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tega Cay Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $66,172 | -7.70% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -10.37% less |
Surgical Technologists in Tega Cay, SC earn a median of $61,077 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.37% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 7.70% below the South Carolina state average of $66,172.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tega Cay has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tega Cay, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $61,077 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,751 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,293
2025 BLS Actual
$57,948
2026 Current Est.
$61,077
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Tega Cay (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,293 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,557 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,499 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,159 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,327 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,209 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,948 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,077 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,375 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tega Cay metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $43,293 (2019) to $57,948 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,375 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,082 (48.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tega Cay 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) | $47,016 – $53,482 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,482 – $61,077 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,077 – $72,987 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,987 – $85,349 |
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 Tega Cay
Despite having only four surgical technologists currently employed in Tega Cay, the market shows promise, particularly due to a cost-of-living index of 91.5, which suggests that wages, while lower than the national average, afford a reasonable quality of life. Among local employers, hospital operating rooms generally offer the most competitive pay, with additional premiums for specialties like cardiovascular and neurosurgery, which command higher salaries. Factors influencing the salary range include expertise in specific surgical fields, certifications in robotic surgery, and willingness to cover on-call shifts. To maximize potential earnings, aspiring surgical technologists may benefit from pursuing additional certifications, particularly in demand specialties, and considering roles in travel surgical tech agencies, which often pay a premium for flexibility and expertise.
More salary data for Tega Cay, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Tega Cay, SC in 2026?
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Can surgical technologists make $100K in Tega Cay?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted surgical technologist salary in Tega Cay?
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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 $57,948 for surgical technologistsin the Tega Cay 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 Tega Cay 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