ND · Grand Forks · Updated October 15, 2026

Surgical Technologist jobs in Grand Forks, ND

The median surgical technologist pay in the Grand Forks area is $29.21 per hour ($60,770 a year), with the typical range running from $25.16 to $30.50. That ranks 154th of 281 U.S. metro areas for surgical technologist pay, and 55th of 261 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 1 hospital in Grand Forks. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Grand Forks.

Surgical Technologist pay in Grand Forks, ND

The metro median is 1% above the North Dakota statewide median of $28.84 per hour. Nationally the median is $30.21 per hour. BLS counts about 40 surgical technologists employed in the Grand Forks metro area, 0.8 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.10).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$22.95$47,74024% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$25.16$52,33017% below U.S. median
Median$29.21$60,7703% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$30.50$63,4401% above U.S. median
Top 10%$34.21$71,16013% above U.S. median

How Grand Forks ranks

  • 154th of 281 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 55th of 261 after adjusting for local prices
  • 2nd 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 Grand Forks

  • Overall prices in Grand Forks run 13% below the U.S. average (index 86.7, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 40% below the U.S. average (index 59.7).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $29.21 median hour buys what $33.71 buys at the national price level, 12% 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.

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

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Estimate your Grand Forks paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,052
  • Per year: $52,578
  • Per month: $4,382

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

Travel assignment per diem in Grand Forks

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).

Open Surgical Technologist roles in North Dakota

Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Grand Forks as they open.

All Surgical Technologist jobs in North Dakota

Hospitals in Grand Forks

CMS lists 1 hospital in Grand Forks, 0 of the 1 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of surgical technologists.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Altru Hospital
Grand Forks, ND
Acute careGovernment and federal3 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
Fargo, ND74 mi$28.84/hr136,285
Bismarck, ND188 mi$29.97/hr77,772
St. Cloud, MN215 mi$32.14/hr72,145
Duluth, MN245 mi$33.28/hr87,986
Maple Grove, MN259 mi$38.89/hr72,739
Coon Rapids, MN261 mi$38.89/hr63,807

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 Grand Forks

Grand Forks city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do surgical technologists make in Grand Forks, ND?

Surgical Technologists in the Grand Forks metro area have a median pay of $29.21 per hour, about $60,770 a year. The middle half earn between $25.16 and $30.50 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

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

Grand Forks ranks 55th of 261 metro areas for surgical technologist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 154th of 281 before adjusting. Overall prices run 13% below the U.S. average.

Where do surgical technologists work in Grand Forks?

CMS lists 1 hospital in Grand Forks, led by Altru Hospital. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a North Dakota license to work in Grand Forks 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 Grand Forks?

The federal per diem benchmark in Grand Forks 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 Grand Forks?

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

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What do employers near Grand Forks 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 Grand Forks, 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

+ 2 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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