NC · Wilmington · Updated October 15, 2026

Surgical Technologist jobs in Wilmington, NC

Pay for surgical technologists in the Wilmington area centers on $29.27 per hour, or about $60,890 a year. The lower quarter earns under $26.02 and the upper quarter over $29.63. That ranks 149th of 281 U.S. metro areas for surgical technologist pay, and 161st of 261 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 2 hospitals in Wilmington. The free report below lists employers near Wilmington and what they pay.

Surgical Technologist pay in Wilmington, NC

The metro median is 4% above the North Carolina statewide median of $28.23 per hour. Nationally the median is $30.21 per hour. BLS counts about 160 surgical technologists employed in the Wilmington metro area, 0.8 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.15).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$23.56$49,00022% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$26.02$54,12014% below U.S. median
Median$29.27$60,8903% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$29.63$61,6302% below U.S. median
Top 10%$35.21$73,24017% above U.S. median

How Wilmington ranks

  • 149th of 281 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 161st of 261 after adjusting for local prices
  • 5th 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.

What your pay buys in Wilmington

  • Overall prices in Wilmington run 4% below the U.S. average (index 96.4, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 7% below the U.S. average (index 93.2).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $29.27 median hour buys what $30.36 buys at the national price level, in line with 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.

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

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Estimate your Wilmington paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,054
  • Per year: $52,686
  • Per month: $4,390

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

Travel assignment per diem in Wilmington

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$135
Meals and incidentals per day$74
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,463
13-week assignment$19,019

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 Wilmington as they open.

All Surgical Technologist jobs in North Carolina

Hospitals in Wilmington

CMS lists 2 hospitals in Wilmington, 0 of the 1 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of surgical technologists.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center
Wilmington, NC
Acute careGovernment and federal3 of 5Yes
Wilmington Treatment Center
Wilmington, NC
Acute careNonprofitNot 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
Jacksonville, NC46 mi$28.23/hr70,840
Fayetteville, NC86 mi$28.79/hr209,496
Greenville, NC100 mi$35.60/hr95,138
Apex, NC119 mi$29.88/hr75,977
Raleigh, NC120 mi$29.88/hr499,825
Cary, NC121 mi$29.88/hr182,659

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 Wilmington

Wilmington city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do surgical technologists make in Wilmington, NC?

Surgical Technologists in the Wilmington metro area have a median pay of $29.27 per hour, about $60,890 a year. The middle half earn between $26.02 and $29.63 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

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

Wilmington ranks 161st of 261 metro areas for surgical technologist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 149th of 281 before adjusting. Overall prices run 4% below the U.S. average.

Where do surgical technologists work in Wilmington?

CMS lists 2 hospitals in Wilmington, led by Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

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

The federal per diem benchmark in Wilmington is $135 a night for lodging and $74 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,463 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.

Does Valorem Health place surgical technologists in Wilmington?

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

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Pay report · Surg Tech near Wilmington, 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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