Surgical Technologist in Hawaii

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

Median annual salary

$76,200

trending_up +21.3% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Hawaii.

engineering

350

Jobs (HI)

monitoring Strong

+4.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$290

Licensing fees

schedule

9-24 months (for education program)

Time to complete

route How to become a surgical technologist in Hawaii

While Hawaii does not have state-level licensing for Surgical Technologists, most employers require national certification from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). To become certified, individuals must complete a surgical technology program accredited by the CAAHEP or ABHES, or a military surgical technology program. Candidates then need to pass the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam. Certification must be renewed every two years by completing 30 continuing education credits or by re-taking the exam.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $43,310

25th percentile $53,360

50th (median) $76,200

75th percentile $85,590

90th (experienced) $93,770

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

checklist Hawaii requirements

Licensing body	National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA)
State license	Not required
Education	Completion of a surgical technology program accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES, or a military surgical technology program.
Exam	Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam ($290)
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	30.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Hawaii does not have state-level licensing or registration requirements for Surgical Technologists. However, national certification from the NBSTSA (CST) is generally required by employers. A comprehensive background check and proof of identity are required for NBSTSA certification. The CST exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions (150 scored) and candidates must answer at least 98 correctly to pass. Renewal can also be achieved by re-taking and passing the CST exam.

Source: National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA)

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.

arrow_forward

Frequently asked questions

What are the steps to becoming a surgical technologist in Hawaii? expand_more

Hawaii requires surgical technologists to complete the required education (Completion of a surgical technology program accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES, or a military surgical technology program.), and pass the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam.

Is a state license required for surgical technologists in Hawaii? expand_more

No state license is needed to work as a surgical technologist in Hawaii. Note: Hawaii does not have state-level licensing or registration requirements for Surgical Technologists. However, national certification from the NBSTSA (CST) is generally required by employers. A comprehensive background check and proof of identity are required for NBSTSA certification. The CST exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions (150 scored) and candidates must answer at least 98 correctly to pass. Renewal can also be achieved by re-taking and passing the CST exam.

How much does a surgical technologist make in Hawaii? expand_more

Hawaii surgical technologists bring home a median salary of $76,200. That's 21% above the national median of $62,830. Wages range from $43,310 (10th percentile) up to $93,770 (90th percentile).

What's the total cost to get surgical technologist certified in Hawaii? expand_more

Between exam fee ($290), expect to invest around varies in total to get started.

How quickly can I become a surgical technologist in Hawaii? expand_more

The typical timeline in Hawaii is 9-24 months (for education program). This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

What's required to renew a surgical technologist license in Hawaii? expand_more

License renewal in Hawaii requires completing 30.0 hours of continuing education on a 2.0-year cycle.