How to Become A Surgical Technician in North Carolina
North Carolina employs approximately 4,400 surgical technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $60,920 1. Nationally, surgical technician employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 7,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a surgical technician in North Carolina, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Surgical Technician in North Carolina
How do I become a surgical technician in North Carolina? North Carolina does not require a state license for surgical technicians, but employers typically expect industry certifications such as CST (Certified Surgical Technologist). Complete a training program to prepare.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in North Carolina? No state license is required, but certifications such as CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) are expected by most employers.
What do surgical technicians earn in North Carolina? The median annual wage for surgical technicians in North Carolina is $60,920 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $45,990 and experienced professionals can earn $78,650 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (North Carolina): $60,920 per year 1
Surgical Technician Certification Options in North Carolina
North Carolina does not require a state license to work as a surgical technician. However, industry certifications can strengthen your resume and may be required by employers.
Common certifications for surgical technicians include:
- CST (Certified Surgical Technologist)
For more information, visit the NBSTSA - National Board of Surgical Technology 3. Contact training programs in North Carolina for details on certification preparation courses.
Surgical Technician Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina
Surgical Technologists Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), surgical technologists wages in North Carolina vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 1,170 | $63,490 | $65,680 | $49,600 | $81,030 |
| Raleigh-Cary | 560 | $61,480 | $63,670 | $49,220 | $77,460 |
| Winston-Salem | 480 | $60,920 | $60,610 | $40,290 | $74,560 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 420 | $65,370 | $68,620 | $39,540 | $94,000 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | 370 | $60,610 | $60,000 | $39,950 | $82,170 |
| Greensboro-High Point | 340 | $59,070 | $57,840 | $46,550 | $72,510 |
| Wilmington | 210 | $60,900 | $58,320 | $42,570 | $65,780 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | 180 | $57,000 | $55,990 | $41,930 | $72,850 |
| Asheville | 160 | $65,450 | $65,450 | $43,720 | $82,430 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines | 130 | $56,510 | $56,170 | $36,650 | $80,910 |
| Fayetteville | 100 | $65,660 | $61,420 | $46,350 | $71,930 |
| Greenville | 100 | $76,820 | $69,930 | $57,410 | $76,820 |
| Rocky Mount | 40 | $57,570 | $55,890 | $42,630 | $76,150 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Surgical technicians in North Carolina
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest surgical technician employment within North Carolina according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 1,170 | $63,490 |
| Raleigh-Cary | 560 | $61,480 |
| Winston-Salem | 480 | $60,920 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | 370 | $60,610 |
| Greensboro-High Point | 340 | $59,070 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for surgical technicians in North Carolina? North Carolina currently employs approximately 4,400 surgical technicians 1. Nationally, surgical technician employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in North Carolina? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in North Carolina.
How much do surgical technicians earn in North Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for surgical technicians in North Carolina is $60,920, which is $1,910 below the national median of $62,830 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
NBSTSA - National Board of Surgical Technology: https://www.nbstsa.org/ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |