Surgical Technologist in Maine

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

Median annual salary

$63,000

trending_up +0.3% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Maine.

engineering

390

Jobs (ME)

monitoring Strong

+4.5%

10-yr job growth

schedule

12-24 months

Time to complete

route How to become a surgical technologist in Maine

In Maine, there are no state-level licensing or registration requirements for Surgical Technologists. However, most employers require national certification, typically the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) or the Tech in Surgery-Certified (TS-C) credential from the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). To be eligible for the CST exam, candidates must graduate from a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited surgical technology program, which typically takes 12-24 months to complete. Certification renewal for CSTs requires 60 continuing education units every four years.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $47,430

25th percentile $51,600

50th (median) $63,000

75th percentile $68,210

90th (experienced) $79,070

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

checklist Maine requirements

Licensing body	No state-level licensing body
State license	Not required
Education	Graduation from a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited program
Exam	NBSTSA CST Exam or NCCT TS-C Exam
Notes	Maine does not have state-level licensing or registration requirements for Surgical Technologists. However, most employers require national certification from the NBSTSA (CST) or NCCT (TS-C). The CST exam requires graduation from a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited program. Certification renewal for CSTs occurs every four years and requires 60 continuing education units.

Source: No state-level licensing body

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

In Maine, becoming a surgical technologist requires you to complete the required education (Graduation from a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited program), and pass the NBSTSA CST Exam or NCCT TS-C Exam.

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

Maine does not require a state license for surgical technologists. Note: Maine does not have state-level licensing or registration requirements for Surgical Technologists. However, most employers require national certification from the NBSTSA (CST) or NCCT (TS-C). The CST exam requires graduation from a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited program. Certification renewal for CSTs occurs every four years and requires 60 continuing education units.

What is the average surgical technologist salary in Maine? expand_more

In Maine, the median pay for surgical technologists comes to $63,000/year. That's roughly in line with the $62,830 national median. New surgical technologists start around $47,430; seasoned professionals can reach $79,070.

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

The typical timeline in Maine is 12-24 months. This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.