Non-specific neck pain is highly prevalent, ranking as the most common cause of disability among students and the working population. Approximately 67% of adults will experience neck pain in their lives. This study aimed to examine surface electromyogram (sEMG) signals from the upper trapezius (UT) and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles during three critical neck movements, which are central rotation of the head (CROH), flexion and extension (FAE), and lateral flexion (LF). The goal was to compare sEMG signals between non-neck pain subjects and those with non-specific neck pain. The analysis of the sEMG signals can potentially be used to develop a future neck pain monitoring system. Seventeen participants (age [28 ± 8]) were recruited in this study. The participants were screened using the Neck Disability Index (NDI) questionnaire, and divided into two groups. Group A consisted of 10 non-neck pain subjects, and Group B consisted of 7 neck pain subjects. Two sEMG sensors (Delsys Trigno Avanti Sensor) were placed on each participant's UT and SCM muscles to collect sEMG signals. During data collection, both groups were asked to perform CROH, FAE, and LF exercises. The collected sEMG signals were then filtered using a band pass filter with a cut-off frequency of 40 to 400 Hz to remove unwanted signals. Root mean square (RMS) and the ratio of sEMG signals contraction to relaxation were extracted from the filtered sEMG. Statistical results indicated that RMS values of SCM muscles during CROH movement in neck pain participants were lower (p ≤ 0.05) compared to the subjects with non-neck pain. Results also indicated that the ratio index of SCM and UT muscles during CROH and FAE movement was lower (p ≤ 0.05) in the neck pain group. This finding suggests that sEMG can serve as a non-invasive, quantitative tool for neck pain monitoring.