Surgical Tech Schools & Programs

Surgical technologists earn a median salary of $56,350 per year (BLS, OEWS, May 2024) and play a critical role in every operating room across the country. Surgical tech programs train students to prepare sterile instrument setups, maintain the sterile field during procedures, and assist surgeons throughout operations. With roughly 9,100 annual openings projected through 2032 and accredited programs available at both the certificate and associate degree level, this fast-paced healthcare career can be within reach in as little as 12 to 24 months of focused training. Graduates who earn their TS-C national certification enter a profession with consistent demand across hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and specialty clinics.

What Is a Surgical Tech Program?

A surgical technology program trains students to work in operating rooms as essential members of the surgical team. The curriculum covers surgical anatomy, aseptic technique, instrumentation, and perioperative patient care, building competency through a combination of classroom instruction, skills lab practice, and supervised clinical rotations. Programs are available as certificates (diploma) or associate degrees and should be accredited by CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs) through ARC/STSA for graduates to be eligible for national certification.

Students learn to set up sterile fields, identify and handle hundreds of surgical instruments efficiently, anticipate the surgeon’s needs during procedures, and perform accurate surgical counts to ensure patient safety. The clinical rotation component exposes students to a range of surgical specialties, building the versatility that employers expect from new graduates entering the operating room workforce.

What You’ll Learn

• Sterile field setup and maintenance throughout surgical procedures
• Surgical instrumentation identification, handling, and passing techniques
• Patient positioning and preoperative preparation
• Surgical anatomy and physiology organized by procedure type
• Aseptic technique and infection prevention in the operating room
• Wound closure techniques (suturing, stapling, and dressing application)
• Surgical pharmacology (medications, solutions, and hemostatic agents used intraoperatively)
• Emergency procedures and the surgical technologist’s role in crisis situations
• Specimen handling, labeling, and documentation protocols
• Robotic and minimally invasive surgery setup and equipment management

How Long Does Training Take?

Certificate and diploma programs in surgical technology typically take 12 to 18 months of full-time study, providing a focused path into the operating room without general education coursework. Associate degree programs run about two years and include general education courses in English, psychology, and other subjects that may support long-term career flexibility. Both pathways include clinical rotations in hospital operating rooms, where students must complete a minimum number of surgical cases across multiple specialties as required by CAAHEP accreditation standards. Most programs require at least 120 documented cases, including mandatory experience in general surgery, orthopedics, and several other core specialties.

Tuition varies widely by institution type and location, from roughly $5,000 to $15,000 per year at community colleges to $20,000 or more annually at private technical schools. Students should also budget for scrubs, textbooks, certification exam fees, and background check costs. Financial aid, military education benefits, and employer-sponsored tuition assistance programs may be available to help offset the total cost of training.

Admissions & Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required; strong science background (biology, anatomy) is helpful
• Background check and drug screening required for OR clinical placements
• Current immunization records (hepatitis B, TB screening, flu shot, and others per hospital requirements)
• CPR/BLS certification (American Heart Association) required before clinical rotations
• Physical ability to stand for long surgical procedures (sometimes 4-8 hours), handle heavy instrument trays, and work in a high-stress environment
• Emotional resilience for regular exposure to blood, open wounds, and surgical procedures
• Some programs require observation hours in an operating room prior to admission
• Minimum GPA requirements vary by school, with some programs using competitive selection criteria

Licensing & Certification

The primary national certification for surgical technologists is the Tech in Surgery - Certified (TS-C) credential from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). The exam covers perioperative care, anatomy, microbiology, and surgical procedures. Some states, including Indiana, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Virginia, legally require surgical technologists to hold national certification to practice. Even in states without a legal mandate, the vast majority of hospitals and surgical centers prefer or require certified candidates during the hiring process.

Certification renewal requires 60 continuing education credits every four years, keeping surgical technologists current with evolving surgical techniques, equipment, and safety protocols. Experienced surgical technologists may also pursue the Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) credential through additional education and training, which expands their scope of practice and earning potential.

Career Outlook & Salary

Surgical technologists earn a median annual salary of $56,350 (BLS, OEWS, May 2024). Those in the top quartile earn above $67,000, while entry-level positions typically start in the $38,000 to $45,000 range depending on location and facility type. Employment is projected to grow 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. The BLS estimates roughly 9,100 annual openings for surgical technologists over that period, reflecting both new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers.

Demand is supported by an aging population that needs more surgical procedures, the continued growth of ambulatory surgical centers, and the increasing use of minimally invasive and robotic surgery techniques that still require skilled scrub technologists. Experienced surgical techs who specialize in high-demand areas like cardiovascular surgery, neurosurgery, or orthopedics may earn above the median, and geographic location significantly influences pay scales.

Where You’ll Work

Hospitals are the largest employers of surgical technologists, particularly in inpatient operating room departments that handle a broad mix of elective and emergency procedures. Ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) represent a growing segment of the market as more procedures move to outpatient settings, and ASCs often offer more predictable scheduling than hospital ORs. Other employers include physician offices with in-office surgical suites, dental surgery centers, ophthalmology clinics, and specialty surgical practices.

The operating room environment is temperature-controlled and sterile, with bright surgical lighting and highly structured workflows. Surgical techs work closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, circulating nurses, and other team members in a setting that demands precision and clear communication. Shifts may include evenings, weekends, and on-call hours to cover emergency and after-hours surgeries, particularly in hospital settings.

Online vs In-Person Options

Surgical tech programs are almost entirely in-person due to the hands-on nature of operating room work. Sterile technique labs, mock surgical setups, instrument identification practice, and all clinical rotations must be completed on campus or in hospital operating rooms. Some programs offer hybrid options where anatomy, pharmacology, or medical terminology lectures are delivered online, but the majority of instruction occurs in skills labs and clinical settings where students practice the physical and procedural skills that define the role. Fully online surgical tech programs do not meet CAAHEP accreditation standards, so any program that advertises a fully online pathway should be evaluated carefully.

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Career Guide

Surgical technology provides a direct path into the operating room without the years of schooling required for nursing or medical degrees. Many surgical techs develop expertise in one or two surgical specialties over time, which can lead to higher pay, more predictable scheduling, and deeper professional satisfaction. Career advancement options include becoming a certified surgical first assistant, moving into OR management or materials coordination, or transitioning into surgical sales, instrument processing leadership, or education roles. The skills you develop in the OR – sterile technique, teamwork under pressure, and detailed procedural knowledge – are valued across the healthcare industry. Explore related career guides in our healthcare career center.

FAQs

What does a surgical tech actually do during surgery?

Before surgery, the surgical technologist prepares the operating room by setting up the sterile field, organizing instruments on the Mayo stand and back table, and verifying that all necessary supplies are available and sterile. During the procedure, the scrub tech passes instruments and supplies to the surgeon, holds retractors, cuts sutures, manages the sterile field, and assists with specimen collection. After surgery, they help with wound closure, apply dressings, and ensure all instruments and sponges are accounted for through the surgical count – a critical patient safety step.

Is surgical tech certification required?

It depends on your state. Some states (including Indiana, Tennessee, South Carolina, Virginia, and others) require surgical technologists to hold TS-C certification from the NBSTSA. Even in states without a legal requirement, most hospitals and surgical centers strongly prefer or require certified candidates during hiring. Graduating from a CAAHEP-accredited program makes you eligible to sit for the certification exam immediately after completing your program.

What surgical specialties can surgical techs work in?

Surgical technologists can work across virtually all surgical specialties, including general surgery, orthopedics, cardiovascular, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, plastic surgery, urology, and OB/GYN. Many surgical techs develop expertise in one or two specialties over time through on-the-job experience and continuing education, which can lead to higher pay and more specialized roles within the OR. Some also advance into surgical first assisting with additional education and the CSFA certification.

How physically demanding is the surgical tech role?

Surgical technology is a physically demanding career. You may stand for four to eight hours during a single procedure, often without breaks during critical phases of surgery. The role requires lifting and moving heavy instrument trays (some weighing 20 pounds or more), maintaining precise hand movements for extended periods, and staying mentally alert throughout long cases. Good physical fitness, comfortable supportive footwear, and the ability to manage fatigue are important for long-term success and job satisfaction in the OR.

What is the difference between a surgical tech and a surgical first assistant?

A surgical technologist (scrub tech) sets up the sterile field, passes instruments, and maintains the surgical environment during procedures. A surgical first assistant (SFA) performs a more advanced role, directly assisting the surgeon with tasks like tissue retraction, hemostasis, suturing, and wound closure. Becoming an SFA requires additional education (typically a certificate program of 12 to 18 months) and the CSFA certification from the NBSTSA. First assistants generally earn higher salaries than standard surgical techs and take on greater clinical responsibility.

Can surgical techs work in robotic surgery?

Yes. Robotic-assisted surgery is one of the fastest-growing areas in the operating room, and surgical technologists play an important role in setting up, draping, and managing robotic surgical systems during procedures. Many hospitals provide on-the-job training for robotic procedures, and some surgical tech programs now include robotic surgery content in their curriculum. Experience with robotic platforms like the da Vinci system can make you a more competitive candidate and may lead to specialized positions within robotic surgery teams.

Salary data reflects U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for May 2024. Actual salaries vary by location, experience, and employer. Program availability and tuition costs vary by school.

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