NC · Chapel Hill · Updated October 15, 2026

Surgical Technologist jobs in Chapel Hill, NC

Surgical Technologists in North Carolina earn a median of $28.23 per hour, about $58,710 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $24.45 and $31.01. That is 7% below the U.S. median of $30.21 per hour. The CMS hospital directory lists 1 hospital in Chapel Hill. The free report below lists employers near Chapel Hill and what they pay.

Surgical Technologist pay in Chapel Hill, NC

Nationally the median is $30.21 per hour. BLS counts about 3,720 surgical technologists employed in North Carolina.

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$21.99$45,74027% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$24.45$50,86019% below U.S. median
Median$28.23$58,7107% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$31.01$64,5003% above U.S. median
Top 10%$35.61$74,07018% above U.S. median

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Surgical Technologists (SOC 29-2055), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in Chapel Hill

  • Overall prices in Durham-Chapel Hill run 2% below the U.S. average (index 97.6, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 1% below the U.S. average (index 98.9).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

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Named employers near Chapel Hill, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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Estimate your Chapel Hill paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,016
  • Per year: $50,814
  • Per month: $4,234

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for North Carolina. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Travel assignment per diem in Chapel Hill

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$140
Meals and incidentals per day$80
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,540
13-week assignment$20,020

Travel surgical technologist assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free. Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.

Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).

Open Surgical Technologist roles in North Carolina

Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Chapel Hill as they open.

All Surgical Technologist jobs in North Carolina

Hospitals in Chapel Hill

CMS lists 1 hospital in Chapel Hill, 1 of the 1 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of surgical technologists.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Unc Hospitals
Chapel Hill, NC
Acute careGovernment and federal5 of 5Yes

Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.

Surgical Technologist pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Durham, NC9 mi$28.23/hr301,870
Cary, NC16 mi$29.88/hr182,659
Apex, NC17 mi$29.88/hr75,977
Raleigh, NC23 mi$29.88/hr499,825
Burlington, NC26 mi$28.23/hr61,365
Wake Forest, NC30 mi$29.88/hr56,764

Surgical Technologist jobs in North Carolina · Surgical Technologist jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in North Carolina

CST certification or completion of an accredited program. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what North Carolina requires for your role with the North Carolina licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

North Carolina taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

North Carolina state guide

Other healthcare roles in Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do surgical technologists make in Chapel Hill, NC?

Surgical Technologists in North Carolina have a median pay of $28.23 per hour, about $58,710 a year. The middle half earn between $24.45 and $31.01 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Where do surgical technologists work in Chapel Hill?

CMS lists 1 hospital in Chapel Hill, led by Unc Hospitals. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a North Carolina license to work in Chapel Hill as a surgical technologist?

CST certification or completion of an accredited program. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what North Carolina requires for your role with the North Carolina licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Chapel Hill?

The federal per diem benchmark in Chapel Hill is $140 a night for lodging and $80 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,540 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.

Does Valorem Health place surgical technologists in Chapel Hill?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Chapel Hill and across North Carolina. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Chapel Hill.

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What do employers near Chapel Hill pay surgical technologists? Get the report.

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  1. 1
    Pay for your role at other hospitals

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    What they are offering now

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Pay report · Surg Tech near Chapel Hill, NC
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Surg Tech pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your North Carolina list by name comes with the full report

1Pay for your role at other hospitals

  • Advocate HealthWinston Salem, NC · 14 postings$31.62/ hr$25–$43
  • Seattle Children'sSeattle, WA · 4 postings$48.62/ hr$31–$60
  • CommonSpirit HealthSTOCKTON, CA · 10 postings$47.95/ hr$32–$62
  • Fairview Health ServicesBurnsville, MN · 6 postings$46.05/ hr$32–$54

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your North Carolina list

2What they are offering now

Low$25Median$31.62High$41

14 Surg Tech postings with published pay in North Carolina, 14 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 14 Surg Tech roles

  1. Surgical Technologist - Atrium Health Carolinas Medical CenterPermanent
    $25.30–$37.95/ hour
    Advocate Health · North Carolina · posted today
  2. Pediatrics Weekender Program Surgical Technologist - CMC Tower ExpansionPermanent
    $25.30–$37.95/ hour
    Advocate Health · North Carolina · posted today

+ 12 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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