North Carolina has a large and growing healthcare sector, creating steady demand for surgical technologists across hospitals and outpatient surgery centers. This page covers surgical tech jobs in North Carolina, including certification expectations, salary insights, and where scrub techs and OR techs most often find work.
Below you’ll find the latest surgical technologist job listings across North Carolina.
North Carolina does not require a state license or certification to work as a surgical technologist. However, healthcare employers typically expect candidates to complete a formal surgical technology training program.
Many hospitals prefer or require the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. While the state itself does not mandate certification, the CST credential is commonly requested in job postings for scrub techs, OR techs, and surgical technologists.
Graduating from an accredited surgical technology program and maintaining professional certification can improve employment opportunities across the state.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage for surgical technologists in North Carolina is $55,840, with a median annual wage of $53,900. Entry-level surgical techs earn about $39,240 at the 10th percentile, while experienced professionals can earn around $75,760 at the 90th percentile.
Pay varies based on experience, certification status, surgical specialty, and facility type. Surgical technologists working in large medical centers or specialized surgical units often earn higher wages than those in smaller outpatient surgery centers.
Surgical technologist jobs in North Carolina are concentrated in major healthcare hubs such as Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro, and Winston-Salem.
Major healthcare employers include:
These health systems operate major hospitals, teaching facilities, and ambulatory surgery centers that regularly hire operating room technicians, scrub techs, and certified surgical technologists.
Most surgical technologists in North Carolina complete a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited surgical technology program, which typically takes 12 to 24 months. Programs include classroom instruction along with clinical experience in hospital operating rooms.
After graduating, many candidates pursue the CST certification exam through the NBSTSA, which can improve hiring prospects with hospitals and surgical centers throughout the state.
North Carolina’s cost of living is moderate compared with many healthcare job markets on the East Coast. Surgical technologist salaries can stretch further in cities like Greensboro or Winston-Salem, while Charlotte and the Research Triangle offer the highest concentration of surgical tech jobs.
Find your next opportunity in North Carolina.