ND · Fargo · Updated October 15, 2026

Surgical Technologist jobs in Fargo, ND

Surgical Technologists in the Fargo area earn a median of $28.84 per hour, about $59,990 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $27.15 and $28.84. That ranks 167th of 281 U.S. metro areas for surgical technologist pay, and 103rd of 261 once local prices are factored in. 3 open roles with published pay are listed for Fargo. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Fargo.

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Surgical Technologist pay in Fargo, ND

The metro median is in line with the North Dakota statewide median of $28.84 per hour. Nationally the median is $30.21 per hour. BLS counts about 130 surgical technologists employed in the Fargo metro area, 0.9 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.17).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$24.34$50,63019% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$27.15$56,47010% below U.S. median
Median$28.84$59,9905% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$28.84$59,9905% below U.S. median
Top 10%$35.34$73,51017% above U.S. median

How Fargo ranks

  • 167th of 281 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 103rd of 261 after adjusting for local prices
  • 3rd of 3 North Dakota 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 Fargo

  • Overall prices in Fargo run 9% below the U.S. average (index 90.9, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 19% below the U.S. average (index 81.1).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $28.84 median hour buys what $31.74 buys at the national price level, 5% 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 Fargo paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,038
  • Per year: $51,912
  • Per month: $4,326

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

Travel assignment per diem in Fargo

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$110
Meals and incidentals per day$68
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,246
13-week assignment$16,198

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 (this is the standard rate that applies here). 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).

Hospitals in Fargo

CMS lists 4 hospitals in Fargo, 2 of the 3 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of surgical technologists.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Fargo Va Medical Center
Fargo, ND
Acute Care - Veterans AdministrationGovernment and federal5 of 5Yes
Sanford Medical Center Fargo
Fargo, ND
Acute careNonprofit4 of 5Yes
Essentia Health
Fargo, ND
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes
Prairie St John's
Fargo, ND
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
Grand Forks, ND74 mi$29.21/hr59,845
St. Cloud, MN157 mi$32.14/hr72,145
Bismarck, ND186 mi$29.97/hr77,772
Maple Grove, MN202 mi$38.89/hr72,739
Coon Rapids, MN205 mi$38.89/hr63,807
Plymouth, MN206 mi$38.89/hr78,551

Surgical Technologist jobs in North Dakota · Surgical Technologist jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in North Dakota

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

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

North Dakota state guide

Other healthcare roles in Fargo

Fargo city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do surgical technologists make in Fargo, ND?

Surgical Technologists in the Fargo metro area have a median pay of $28.84 per hour, about $59,990 a year. The middle half earn between $27.15 and $28.84 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

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

Fargo ranks 103rd of 261 metro areas for surgical technologist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 167th of 281 before adjusting. Overall prices run 9% below the U.S. average.

Who is hiring surgical technologists in Fargo?

We list 3 open roles with published pay from 1 employer in Fargo. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Fargo.

Do I need a North Dakota license to work in Fargo as a surgical technologist?

CST certification or completion of an accredited program. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what North Dakota requires for your role with the North Dakota 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 Fargo?

The federal per diem benchmark in Fargo is $110 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,246 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.

Does Valorem Health place surgical technologists in Fargo?

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

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Pay report · Surg Tech near Fargo, ND
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

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

1Pay for your role at other hospitals

  • Essentia HealthFargo, ND · 3 postings$35.50/ hr$28–$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 Dakota list

2What they are offering now

Low$26Median$35.50High$43

4 Surg Tech postings with published pay in North Dakota, 4 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 4 Surg Tech roles

  1. Surgical Technician CertPer diem
    $25.55–$38.00/ hour
    CommonSpirit Health · Dickinson, ND · posted 22 days ago
  2. CST - Surgical Tech (36 Hours Weekly) - Day ShiftPermanent
    $28.40–$42.60/ hour
    Essentia Health · Fargo, ND · posted 29 days ago

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