CertOutlook

Surgical Technologist in Arkansas

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for AR. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary
$53,400
trending_down -15.0% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Arkansas.

engineering
1,490

Jobs (AR)

monitoring Strong
+4.5%

10-yr job growth

payments
$1

Licensing fees

route How to become a surgical technologist in Arkansas

To become a registered Surgical Technologist in Arkansas, individuals must register with the Arkansas State Medical Board. Key steps include successfully completing a nationally accredited surgical technology program or a surgical technologist training program during service in the U.S. Armed Forces, and holding current national certification from either the NBSTSA or NCCT. Registration must be renewed annually, and maintaining national certification is required for renewal.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $38,790
25th percentile $44,610
50th (median) $53,400
75th percentile $63,590
90th (experienced) $71,850

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Arkansas. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Arkansas requirements

Licensing bodyArkansas State Medical Board
State license Not required
EducationCompletion of a nationally accredited surgical technology program (CAAHEP or ABHES equivalent) or a surgical technologist training program during service in the U.S. Armed Forces.
ExamNBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Exam or National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) exam
Application fee$1
RenewalEvery 1.0 year
NotesArkansas requires registration with the State Medical Board. Applicants must hold current national certification from the NBSTSA or NCCT. Renewal requires maintaining this certification. There was a grandfathering clause for those employed before July 1, 2017, who registered by March 31, 2020, but this is no longer applicable. The practice of surgical technology is a separate profession from surgical assisting. No minimum age specified.

Source: Arkansas State Medical Board

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth
+4.5%
Faster than average
Annual openings
7,000
Nationwide per year
Total employment
115,600
Nationwide
neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -0.48/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

  • infoNo state license required — lower barrier but weaker signal
  • check_circleLow AI disruption risk
psychology
Wondering if a surgical technologist career is the right fit?
See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.
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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a surgical technologist in Arkansas? expand_more
Arkansas requires surgical technologists to complete the required education (Completion of a nationally accredited surgical technology program (CAAHEP or ABHES equivalent) or a surgical technologist training program during service in the U.S. Armed Forces.), pass the NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Exam or National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) exam, and submit your application ($1 fee).
Is a state license required for surgical technologists in Arkansas? expand_more
surgical technologists in Arkansas are not required to hold a state license. Note: Arkansas requires registration with the State Medical Board. Applicants must hold current national certification from the NBSTSA or NCCT. Renewal requires maintaining this certification. There was a grandfathering clause for those employed before July 1, 2017, who registered by March 31, 2020, but this is no longer applicable. The practice of surgical technology is a separate profession from surgical assisting. No minimum age specified.
What is the average surgical technologist salary in Arkansas? expand_more
In Arkansas, the median pay for surgical technologists comes to $53,400/year. That's 15% below the national median of $62,830. Wages range from $38,790 (10th percentile) up to $71,850 (90th percentile).

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