NC · Raleigh · Updated October 15, 2026

Surgical Technologist jobs in Raleigh, NC

The median surgical technologist pay in the Raleigh area is $29.88 per hour ($62,150 a year), with the typical range running from $25.68 to $31.82. That ranks 120th of 281 U.S. metro areas for surgical technologist pay, and 157th of 261 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 4 hospitals in Raleigh. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Raleigh.

More open Surgical Technologist roles in Raleigh

6 more open roles from employers in Raleigh. Each employer’s range arrives with your free pay report.

PermanentPosted 9 days ago

Surgical Technologist III, OR

WakeMed Health and Hospitals · Raleigh, NC

Pay range with your report
  • Full Time Clinical Technical WakeMed Ral
  • Req 32125
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PermanentPosted 13 days ago

Surgical Technologist I, OR

WakeMed Health and Hospitals · Raleigh, NC

Pay range with your report
  • Supplemental Clinical Technical WakeMed
  • Req 31935
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PermanentPosted 28 days ago

Travel Surgical Technologist

WakeMed Health and Hospitals · Raleigh, NC

Pay range with your report
  • Temporary Clinical Technical WakeMed Ral
  • Req 32826
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Surgical Technologist pay in Raleigh, NC

The metro median is 6% above the North Carolina statewide median of $28.23 per hour. Nationally the median is $30.21 per hour. BLS counts about 450 surgical technologists employed in the Raleigh-Cary metro area, 0.6 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.85).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$24.33$50,61019% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$25.68$53,41015% below U.S. median
Median$29.88$62,1501% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$31.82$66,1905% above U.S. median
Top 10%$36.05$74,98019% above U.S. median

How Raleigh ranks

  • 120th of 281 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 157th of 261 after adjusting for local prices
  • 4th of 10 North Carolina metro areas

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.

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What your pay buys in Raleigh

  • Overall prices in Raleigh-Cary run 2% below the U.S. average (index 98.2, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 3% above the U.S. average (index 103.5).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $29.88 median hour buys what $30.44 buys at the national price level, 1% above the national median.

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.

Estimate your Raleigh paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,076
  • Per year: $53,784
  • Per month: $4,482

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Raleigh-Cary metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Travel assignment per diem in Raleigh

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$131
Meals and incidentals per day$74
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,435
13-week assignment$18,655

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 Raleigh as they open.

All Surgical Technologist jobs in North Carolina

Hospitals in Raleigh

CMS lists 4 hospitals in Raleigh, 2 of the 2 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of surgical technologists.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Rex Hospital
Raleigh, NC
Acute careGovernment and federal5 of 5Yes
Wakemed, Raleigh Campus
Raleigh, NC
Acute careNonprofit4 of 5Yes
Holly Hill Mental Health Services
Raleigh, NC
PsychiatricFor-profitNot ratedNo
Triangle Springs
Raleigh, NC
PsychiatricFor-profitNot ratedNo

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
Cary, NC11 mi$29.88/hr182,659
Wake Forest, NC12 mi$29.88/hr56,764
Durham, NC18 mi$28.23/hr301,870
Chapel Hill, NC23 mi$28.23/hr64,028
Rocky Mount, NC48 mi$25.36/hr54,541
Burlington, NC49 mi$28.23/hr61,365

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 Raleigh

Raleigh city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do surgical technologists make in Raleigh, NC?

Surgical Technologists in the Raleigh-Cary metro area have a median pay of $29.88 per hour, about $62,150 a year. The middle half earn between $25.68 and $31.82 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Raleigh a good place for surgical technologists once cost of living is counted?

Raleigh-Cary ranks 157th of 261 metro areas for surgical technologist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 120th of 281 before adjusting. Overall prices run 2% below the U.S. average.

Where do surgical technologists work in Raleigh?

CMS lists 4 hospitals in Raleigh, led by Rex Hospital. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a North Carolina license to work in Raleigh 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 Raleigh?

The federal per diem benchmark in Raleigh is $131 a night for lodging and $74 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,435 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.

Does Valorem Health place surgical technologists in Raleigh?

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

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

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    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 Raleigh, 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.

I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.
Check my pay