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What is a Surgical Technologist?
Surgical technologist is a professional focus in an area of study that is responsible for assistance during surgeries. Surgical technologists will prepare operating rooms, arrange and organize equipment, and assist doctors and nurses during surgeries. Surgical technologists are present during surgeries, offering support and assistance, but not actually working with the patient. Technologists may also assist in the care and delivery of samples taken during surgery. All work performed by a surgical technologist will be under the supervision of qualified medical professionals.
Career Summary
MEDIAN SALARY
PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE
TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT
105,720Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types
Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS
2025 Best Surgical Technologist Schools
Concorde Career College – San Diego offers a program for Surgical Technology. This program teaches students how Surgical technologists help to ensure that procedures are performed effectively and efficiently. It gives emphasis to learning skills like field maintenance, patient care, and sterile field preparation. Graduates of this program are proven to have a meaningful impact in their work.
Acceptance Rate
90.96
Tuition
$35,469 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
25:1
You can earn an Associate degree in Surgical Technology in as few as 18 months at Concorde Career College – Aurora. Here, you will be privileged to work alongside physicians, surgeons, nurses and other healthcare professionals. You’ll learn how to prepare equipment, operating rooms, and assist medical professionals during surgeries. Graduates of this program have mastered the fundamentals and routines for procedures.
Acceptance Rate
61.58
Tuition
$15,955 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
41:1
Surgical Technology continues to improve and advance that is why surgical procedures are increasingly common. To that end, a rigorous program in Surgical Technology is currently offered at Concorde Career Institute – Jacksonville. In this program you will be trained in working alongside nurses and surgeons in the operating room. Some of the skills you will surely develop are these; preparing patients for surgery, always ready whenever the surgical team needs an instrument, and ensuring that piece of equipment is sterilized and is working efficiently.
Acceptance Rate
76.61
Tuition
$50,048 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
38:1
Hillyard Technical Center offers a program for Surgical Technologist. The aim of this program is to develop operating room technicians who can effectively assist in surgical operations. This program will teach students how to prepare operating rooms and arrange equipment. They will also be trained in helping doctors as they perform surgeries.
Acceptance Rate
53.85
Tuition
$12,630 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
4:1
The Surgical Technology degree program at Rolla Technical Institute is a highly regarded program for those seeking entrance into a highly competitive field. RTI has curated a curriculum that will help students learn aseptic techniques, sterilization, operating autoclaves, transporting patients, patient draping, and instrument identification. The classes at Rolla Technical Institute will help prepare students for a broad-based future in healthcare with the goal to be able to pass the National Certification Examination for Surgical Techs.
Acceptance Rate
64
Tuition
$10,800 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
6:1
Concorde Career College – North Hollywood offers a Surgical Technology Program. Students in this program develop skills and knowledge in surgical field maintenance and surgeon assistance. Taking the path to this career will be a good choice because surgical technology jobs are projected to grow at a faster-than-average of 7%. Advances in technology and an increase in surgical procedures are the main reasons why this field is forecast to continue its growth.
Acceptance Rate
91.39
Tuition
$32,883 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
22:1
Concorde Career Institute – San Antonio offers a program for Surgical Technology. Concorde have always been committed to their student’s success, in fact, they ensure that access to comprehensive information and guidance in navigating the financial aid process are provided. This Associate degree program can be completed in as few as 18 months. Surgical Technology Program at the Campus of San Antonio is initially accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
Acceptance Rate
93.86
Tuition
$17,701 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
45:1
The Surgical Technology degree is offered at Concorde Career College – San Bernardino. This program is best suited for those who aspire to a career supporting nurses, physicians, and patients in a fast-paced work setting. This program provides real-world training in order to equip students as they pursue a career in surgical technology. Their rigorous curriculum will put you in the center of the surgical tech field through coursework and hands-on learning experiences.
Acceptance Rate
92.57
Tuition
$16,010 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
29:1
Surgical Technology Program can be taken at Concorde Career Institute – Dallas. This program gives emphasis on critical skills and knowledge that are needed for a career in Surgical Technologist. Students will learn how to render patient care. They will develop skills in sterile field preparation and passing instruments, supplies and equipment to surgeons.
Acceptance Rate
88.09
Tuition
$16,875 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
44:1
Surgical Technology Program is available at Concorde Career College – Portland. The curriculum provided by this program is designed to challenge the students just like how they would be challenged in a real-world work setting in this field. They offer classroom-to-career skills training. Students who completed this program are prepared for a career in Surgical Technologist.
Acceptance Rate
96.23
Tuition
$16,516 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
34:1
A degree in Surgical Technology is currently offered at Concorde Career College – Miramar. Some of the skills that students develop here are sterile field preparation and field maintenance. You can join Concorde’s family and be prepared for a career that supports physicians and patients. They guarantee to provide real-world training that will equip you to pursue a career in surgical technology.
Acceptance Rate
88.35
Tuition
$43,552 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
36:1
An AAS degree in Surgical Technologist is available at Midwest Institute. They provide dedicated instructors that effectively train their students. They give their best in helping students pass the National Certified Surgical Technologist examination. Unpaid externship, where real-life training in an O.R. with a professional surgical team is also included.
Acceptance Rate
76.47
Tuition
$14,680 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
6:1
At Concorde Career Institute -- Orlando's Surgical Technology degree program, you will be at the forefront of new surgical techniques. They incorporated both real-world training and off-site clinical experiences in their programs. This program can be completed in at least 18 months. Graduates of this program are able to effectively work alongside surgeons, nurses and physicians.
Acceptance Rate
84.8
Tuition
$17,005 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
45:1
You can take a program in Surgical Technology at Concorde Career Institute – Tampa. The Associate degree program that is available here can be completed in as few as 18 months. Through coursework and hands-on learning experiences, their students are placed in the center of the surgical tech field. Students will benefit in the real-world work challenges that they will face in this program.
Acceptance Rate
91.67
Tuition
$16,395 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
40:1
Surgical Technology degree is available at Concorde Career College – Memphis. This program emphasizes the vital role that Surgical Technologists play during every surgery. They make sure that all of their students gain a deeper understanding of routines and fundamentals that guarantees efficient and effective procedures. Students are prepared to learn skills such as surgeon assistance and patient care.
Acceptance Rate
93.38
Tuition
$15,840 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
35:1
Acceptance Rate
94.92
Tuition
$16,805 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
34:1
Southeast Hospital College of Nursing & Health Sciences offers a twelve-month certificate program and a two-year Associate in Applied Science program in Surgical Technologist. Both of these programs are designed to prepare students for entry-level positions as surgical technologists. These programs teach students how to assist surgeons by passing instruments and sutures, cutting sutures, and holding retractors. Students will learn how to work effectively in a team environment and function well even under intense and stressful situations.
Acceptance Rate
50
Student to Faculty Ratio
4:1
American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education is a two-year private school that offers high quality education and training for its students located in and around Piscatway. Students may select from many areas of study, including:
- Health and Clinical Professions
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Business and Marketing Studies
Over 180 students have completed their schooling in the last few years based on published graduation information with a graduation rate of more than 83%. Over ten different programs are offered at American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education. The more popular enrolled programs are shown below:
- Phlebotomy
- Medical Assistant
- Ultrasound Technician
- Electrocardiograph Technology
- Medical Insurance Coding
To help support students, American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education may provide student services like those listed below:
- Night and weekend classes available
- Remedial instructional courses
- Academic counseling for students
- Employment search assistance
This school has been accredited by the Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools since 2006. Please visit aimseducation.edu for more information on programs offered and consumer disclosures.
Acceptance Rate
-
Tuition
$32,250 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
12:1
New York Methodist Hospital Center for Allied Health Education is in Brooklyn, New York. It was established in 2007 by the New York Methodist Hospital, and the center includes 13,000 square feet of educational space, including seven classrooms, 11 lab rooms, a computer library with 25 devices, student lounge, faculty area, and administrative space. The center is committed to offering excellent health education that helps healthcare professionals meet the needs of the general public. The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education institutionally accredits the center.
Programs Offered
The center offers programs through the Bartone School of Radiography, School of Laboratory Science, EMS Institute, and School of Radiation Therapy. The programs include:
- Radiologic technologist
- CT cross training
- MRI cross training
- Radiation therapist
- Paramedic
- Clinical laboratory science
Admissions Information
The admissions requirements vary by the school of education and specific program.
Financial Aid Options
New York Hospital Center for Allied Health Education participates in various financial aid programs, depending on the school of education. In general, students can apply for the Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG Grant, NY State Tuition Assistance Program, and Ford Loans. The center also offers payment plans.
Acceptance Rate
-
Tuition
$52,075 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
12:1
Great Lakes Institute of Technology is a two year private career college dedicated to offering a practical education for students located in and around Erie. Students may choose from a few areas of study, including:
- Personal and Culinary Services
- Health and Clinical Professions
- Education
Over the past several years Great Lakes Institute of Technology has awarded degrees to over 730 students with more than 75% of students who start the program complete it. Over twenty different programs are offered at Great Lakes Institute of Technology. The more popular programs are listed below:
- Cosmetology
- Medical Assistant
- Veterinary Assistant
- Nursing Assistant
- Surgical Technologist
To help support students, Great Lakes Institute of Technology may offer support services like those listed below:
- Night and weekend classes available
- Counseling assistance
- Employment search assistance
The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges has accredited the instruction & training provided by Great Lakes Institute of Technology for over thirty-four straight years. Please visit glit.edu for more information on programs offered and consumer disclosures.
Acceptance Rate
-
Tuition
$30,000 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
11:1
Wilson Tech, located in Northport, New York, is a technical school that accommodates the needs of both high school and adult students. They also offer educational solutions to businesses and employers who need to train their staff on various subjects. Wilson Tech has a wide array of career certificate programs specifically for high school students who want to jumpstart their future career and collect college credits at the same time. These programs include: carpentry, construction, heating and air, welding, photography, digital film, medical assisting, cosmetology, nurse assisting, culinary arts, veterinary assisting, computer technology, auto body repair, aviation science, and more. Wilson Tech also offers programs that are tailored specifically to adult students who want to change careers or augment their current ones. These specialized programs include: cosmetology licensure, surgical technology certification, practical nursing licensure, medical assisting certification, sonogram tech, and many more. In addition to the many programs of study offered at Wilson Tech, there are also classes offered to employers who need to augment the education of their staff. These classes include: computer training, personal health, safety training, professional development, technical and industry specific training, workplace literacy, and more. These classes are conveniently located, competitively priced, and taught by instructors who have both industry and academic backgrounds. If you or someone you know would like to apply at Wilson Tech, or if you would like more information about the career studies certificates and programs offered there, click here to access Wilson Tech’s official website.
Acceptance Rate
-
Tuition
$43,050 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
12:1
Premiere Career College is a private career school, which offers high quality education and training for its students. Over a thousand students have completed their training in the last few years based on published information with around 75% of students who start the program continuing on to complete it. Premiere Career College offers several programs to choose from. Below is a list of the more popular programs being offered:
- Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants
- Medical Assistant
- Surgical Technologist
- Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services
To help students and alumni succeed, Premiere Career College may offer student services including:
- Weekend and night classes available
- Remedial courses
- Academic counseling for students
- Employing students to lower education costs
- Employment search assistance
The last reported accreditation for Premiere Career College was done by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. Please visit premierecollege.edu for more information on programs offered and consumer disclosures.
Acceptance Rate
-
Tuition
$29,330 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
18:1
CBD College, located in Los Angeles, California, offers vocational and career programs in the medical field. The school employs qualified professionals to educate and train students in order to prepare them for their chosen career. CBD provides a pleasant learning environment, encourages camaraderie and personal growth, and assists its students through their personal educational needs.
Academics
CDB College offers five programs for its students to choose from. Each program has its own length and certificate/degree awarded. All programs prepare individuals to enter the work force as skilled and qualified individuals.
Programs offered:
- Vocational Nursing
- Associate of Applied Science in Vocational Nursing
- Surgical Technology
- Pharmacy Technician
- Medical Massage Therapy/Physical Therapy Assistant
Admissions and Financial Aid
Students interested in enrollment must be at least 17 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent, complete and submit an application, have an interview with an admissions officer and have a passing score on the ACT exam. Tuition varies based on program and the financial aid office will help eligible students determine the best financial aid options for him or her.
Acceptance Rate
-
Tuition
$38,635 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
20:1
Acceptance Rate
-
Tuition
$36,900 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
34:1
Career Networks Institute (CNI College) is a private community college in Orange County, CA, that offers two-year associate’s degrees. Originally founded in Santa Ana in 1994, CNI College finally found a home in the City of Orange after having moved there in 1997 as well as expanding its campus to an additional facility in Costa Mesa. The college is now fully located in the City of Orange in 35,000 square feet of office and classroom space.
CNI College is accredited at the institutional and programmatic levels by several organizations, such as the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians and the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists, among others.
The college boasts fully equipped pharmacy and medical laboratories, a computer laboratory, a personal training laboratory and a library with internet access. All students also have access to the online library database.
CNI College offers eight course programs, including an associate’s degree in nursing and other career-oriented courses such as Vocational Nursing, Surgical Technology and Medical Assisting.
The college enrolls under 1,000 students, making it an average-sized institution. Financial aid is an option for qualifying students, and a survey showed that in 2012, 92% of students received financial assistance in some form.
The college runs a fully functional Career Services Department that assists graduating students with job placement at entry-level positions in the health care industry.
Acceptance Rate
-
Tuition
$71,788 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
30:1
What is a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)?
A surgical tech or certified surgical tech performs a number of key tasks before, during, and after surgeries to ensure proper flow and patient care is met in the operating room. A surgical tech makes sure patients are greeted, prepped, and properly positioned in the operating room along with making sure all necessary medical instruments are readily available and sterile prior to any surgical procedure. During a surgical event, CSTs will work to optimize medical equipment and lighting for maximum utility for the surgical team. A surgical tech will work to anticipate the needs of the surgical team and make equipment readily available and actively assist in procedures by holding instruments, sponging, preparing specimens, and dressing wounds. At the completion of a medical procedure, a surgical tech cleans the operating room and works to sterilize the area and can be available as patients wake from the procedure to provide comfort and counsel.
How To Become a Surgical Tech?
In order to begin work as a certified surgical technologist or surgical tech you will need to follow a set of steps to get the most out of your Surgical Tech career. The steps to optimize your knowledge and vocational growth include:
- Earn a Degree or Certificate from a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited college or university
- Obtain your CST or Certified Surgical Technologist from a reputable organization like the NBSTSA
- Earn your TS-C or Tech in Surgery-Certified from an organization such as the NCCT
- Keep your certificates active by taking continuing education courses at an interval mandated by your state of residence and taking the CST recertification every four years.
The first step in the process is to earn a certification or degree from an accredited college or university. The two most common accreditation bodies for a CST program are the CAAHEP or the ABHES. The CAAHEP stands for the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs is the largest accreditation body in the health sciences professional trade providing independent accreditation for 2,100 individual education programs and nearly three dozen different occupations. The ABHES is the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools is recognized by the United States Secretary of Education as a private, non-profit accrediting body since its inception in 1969.
Why choose an accredited surgical tech program? It is recommended to select a college or university that offers an accredited surgical technology program as it ensures employers the academic program provides students with a high educational standard in medical, surgical, and technical studies requisite to succeed in the operating room. Accredited colleges and universities must renew their accreditation perpetually which further adds credibility to the schools ability to meet or exceed academic standards necessary for such academic programs.
Next, you should consider earning your surgical tech certificate from a nationally recognized organization like the NBSTSA. As an example, the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting provides a certification for Surgical Techs that is an industry standard. Successfully taking and passing the NBSTSA examination qualifies you to become a Certified Surgical Technologist or CST that is sought after by employers and hiring managers across the nation.
Earning a designation of TS-C may be a valuable step in your education as the additional examination required to obtain the TS-C designation demonstrates to current and future employers a mastery in your trade. A testing organization such as the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) offers an industry leading credential for passing the TS-C exam for showing mastery in antiseptic procedures, medical terminology, equipment sterilization, and surgical care.
The final step in the process is for surgical techs to adopt a mentality of lifelong learning as you will be required to perform continuing education credits along with an intermittent recertification. Remaining curious and learning about your trade perpetually will make the continuing education and recertification process an easier item to fold into your existing schedule.
Educational Requirements for Surgical Technologists
Surgical technology requires study through either a community college or trade school, and typically takes between two months and two years to complete, and results in either a certificate or degree. These programs provide the education and information necessary in order to operate as professionals within a surgical environment, exposing individuals to the various equipment and tools they must be familiar with in order to perform their tasks without error. Additional certification is also available, providing additional training and proof of competency.
A curriculum may include:
- Biology
- Medical and Surgical Terminology
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Microbiology
- Medical Terminology
- Fundamentals of Surgical Technology & Sterilization
- Pharmacology of Surgical Technology
- Radiology
- General & Peripheral Vascular Surgery
- Obstetrics & Gynecological Surgery
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Surgical Safety
Difference Between a Surgical Tech and Surgical Assistant?
The best way to think about the difference between a surgical technologist and surgical assistant is by understanding the duties and responsibilities of each. A surgical assistant will perform many, if not all, of the duties of a surgical tech plus additional surgical activities in the operation room. The additional hands-on activities of a surgical assistant may include helping surgeon’s with suturing, suctioning, hemostasis, sponging, and similar medical procedures.
In order to become a surgical assistant, a surgical technologist or certified surgical technologist will need to complete additional training and academic work. Both the National Surgical Assistant Association and the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting offers a certification examination targeted for surgical technologist practitioners a path to become a certified surgical assistant (CSA) or certified first surgical assistant (CSFA) for qualified candidates. Progressing from a surgical tech to a surgical tech or first surgical assistant will allow you to further specialize in the field. The areas of specialty are numerous for a surgical assistant that can include vascular, neurology, and cardiothoracic to name a few.
Schools Other Students Requested Information From:
Employment Opportunities for Surgical Techs
Individuals seeking employment must be patient, dexterous and have high stamina. Individuals in this field will stand for hours during surgery and must quickly provide whatever assistance is required by the surgeon or nurse. Employment will be pursued at the at hospitals, clinics, or any other locations where surgeries are typically performed. The need for surgery technicians is expected to increase as public healthcare becomes more widely available, the population ages, and the need for medical professionals increases across the board. As a result there should be a marked increase in available positions for surgical technicians in the future.
Most Popular Jobs of a Surgical Technologist
In order to best prepare you for the exciting field of a surgical tech, you will be best served to understand a common set of job titles across the industry. Job titles may vary from region to region or by employer, which is why having a working list of job titles and their variations is a useful tool. A list of the most common job titles of a surgical tech include:
- Certified Surgical Tech/First Assistant
- Surgical Scrub Technologist (Surgical Scrub Tech)
- Surgical Technician
- Certified Surgical Technician
- Operating Room Technologist (OR Tech)
- Surgical Scrub Technician
- Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)
- Operating Room Surgical Technician (OR St)
- Operating Room Technician (OR Tech)
- Surgical Technologist (Surgical Tech)
Top Job Responsibilities of a Surgical Technologist
In a recent survey performed by the U.S. Department of Labor of surgical technologists, data reveals a number of key elements of the job. In addition to work styles, job titles, and attributes of surgical techs, the survey provided insight into daily activities of these professionals. The top 5 job responsibilities of a surgical tech include the following items:
- Extending technical assistance to surgical members such as surgical nurses, surgeons, and anesthesiologists
- Maintaining a sterile field during surgical procedures
- Properly preparing for surgery by scrubbing in and assisting other members of the surgical them with surgical clothing, masks, and gloves
- Accurately accounting for medical equipment and instruments before and after operation
- Helping patients prep for surgery, including positioning and applying sterile surgical drapes
Salary Outlook and Related Surgical Fields
The median annual income for a surgical technologists is $45,160 adding some 14,700 jobs in the coming decade. Increases in pay coming from working in more densely populated areas, having a higher level of education, or having demonstrable work experience. Certification will also assist in achieving higher wages. In addition, taking refresher courses is advised in order to keep pace with advances in surgical technology. The BLS forecasts a growth rate of 15% over the next decade which is more than twice the projected growth rate of all jobs during that time frame.
States with the Highest Employment of Surgical Technologists
- Texas 10,800
- California 9,750
- Florida 6,940
- New York 5,560
- Ohio 4,050
States with the Highest Employment for Surgical Technologists
- Nevada $60,640
- California $59,490
- District of Columbia $55,240
- Alaska $55,200
- Washington $55,000
Individuals interested in surgical technology may also be interested in athletic training, medical assisting, or dental assisting.