Surgical Technologist in Michigan

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

Median annual salary

$62,320

trending_down -0.8% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Michigan.

engineering

3,910

Jobs (MI)

monitoring Strong

+4.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$290

Licensing fees

schedule

9-24 months

Time to complete

route How to become a surgical technologist in Michigan

To become a Surgical Technologist in Michigan, while there is no state-level licensing, national certification is highly recommended and often required by employers. The primary certification is the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential offered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). Candidates must graduate from a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited surgical technology program or a military surgical technology program and pass the CST exam. Certification must be renewed every two years by completing 30 continuing education credits or re-taking the exam.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $41,530

25th percentile $51,380

50th (median) $62,320

75th percentile $67,110

90th (experienced) $78,030

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

checklist Michigan requirements

Licensing body	National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) or National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)
State license	Not required
Education	Graduation from a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited surgical technology program or a military surgical technology program.
Exam	CST Exam (NBSTSA) or TS-C Exam (NCCT) ($290)
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	30.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Michigan does not have state-level licensing or registration requirements for Surgical Technologists. Most employers require national certification (CST from NBSTSA or TS-C from NCCT). The CST exam costs $190 for AST members and $290 for non-members. The TS-C exam costs $199. Renewal for CST requires 30 CE credits every two years. Renewal for TS-C requires 14 CE credits annually 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

How do you get certified as a surgical technologist in Michigan? expand_more

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

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

surgical technologists in Michigan are not required to hold a state license. Note: Michigan does not have state-level licensing or registration requirements for Surgical Technologists. Most employers require national certification (CST from NBSTSA or TS-C from NCCT). The CST exam costs $190 for AST members and $290 for non-members. The TS-C exam costs $199. Renewal for CST requires 30 CE credits every two years. Renewal for TS-C requires 14 CE credits annually and a $77 fee.

What do surgical technologists earn in Michigan? expand_more

Michigan surgical technologists bring home a median salary of $62,320. This is close to the national median of $62,830. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $41,530, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $78,030.

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

The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($290) and required training.

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

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

Does Michigan require continuing education for surgical technologists? expand_more

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

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