Surgical Technologist in Georgia

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

Median annual salary

$60,880

trending_down -3.1% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Georgia.

engineering

4,100

Jobs (GA)

monitoring Strong

+4.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$290

Licensing fees

schedule

12-24 months (program)

Time to complete

route How to become a surgical technologist in Georgia

To become a Surgical Technologist in Georgia, while there is no state-level licensing, most employers require national certification from either the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) or the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). Key steps involve completing an accredited surgical technology program and passing a national certification exam, such as the CST Exam administered by the NBSTSA. Certification typically needs to be renewed every two years with continuing education.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $43,360

25th percentile $50,060

50th (median) $60,880

75th percentile $68,980

90th (experienced) $82,210

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

checklist Georgia requirements

Licensing body	National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) or National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)
State license	Not required
Education	Completion of a surgical technology program accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES (for CST) or an NCCT-authorized school or 3 years of experience (for TS-C)
Exam	CST Exam (NBSTSA) or TS-C Exam (NCCT) ($290)
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	30.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Georgia does not have state-level licensing or registration requirements for Surgical Technologists. However, most employers require national certification from either the NBSTSA (CST) or the NCCT (TS-C). Minimum age of 18 and a clean background check are generally required by employers. The CST exam costs $190 for AST members and $290 for non-members. The TS-C exam costs $199. CST renewal is every two years with 30 CE credits and a $40 fee. TS-C renewal is annual with 14 CE credits and a $77 fee.

Source: National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) or National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)

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?

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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a surgical technologist in Georgia? expand_more

To become a surgical technologist in Georgia, you need to complete the required education (Completion of a surgical technology program accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES (for CST) or an NCCT-authorized school or 3 years of experience (for TS-C)), and pass the CST Exam (NBSTSA) or TS-C Exam (NCCT).

Can I work as a surgical technologist in Georgia without a license? expand_more

No state license is needed to work as a surgical technologist in Georgia. Note: Georgia does not have state-level licensing or registration requirements for Surgical Technologists. However, most employers require national certification from either the NBSTSA (CST) or the NCCT (TS-C). Minimum age of 18 and a clean background check are generally required by employers. The CST exam costs $190 for AST members and $290 for non-members. The TS-C exam costs $199. CST renewal is every two years with 30 CE credits and a $40 fee. TS-C renewal is annual with 14 CE credits and a $77 fee.

How much does a surgical technologist make in Georgia? expand_more

The median surgical technologist salary in Georgia is $60,880 per year. — within a few percent of the $62,830 national figure. Wages range from $43,360 (10th percentile) up to $82,210 (90th percentile).

How much does it cost to become a surgical technologist in Georgia? expand_more

Plan on spending varies total — that covers exam fee ($290) plus your education and training.

How long does it take to become a surgical technologist in Georgia? expand_more

Expect to spend 12-24 months (program) from start to finish in Georgia — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

How many CE hours do surgical technologists need in Georgia? expand_more

Yes — surgical technologists in Georgia must complete 30.0 CE hours every 2.0 years to stay licensed.