Surgical Technologist in Ohio

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

Median annual salary

$60,360

trending_down -3.9% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Ohio.

engineering

3,800

Jobs (OH)

monitoring Strong

+4.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$190

Licensing fees

schedule

9-24 months

Time to complete

route How to become a surgical technologist in Ohio

To become a Surgical Technologist in Ohio, while there is no state license required, most employers mandate national certification. Aspiring surgical technologists should graduate from a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited program and then pass a national certification exam, such as the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) or the Tech in Surgery-Certified (TS-C) exam administered by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). Certification typically requires continuing education for renewal every two years.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $46,380

25th percentile $51,320

50th (median) $60,360

75th percentile $65,240

90th (experienced) $78,250

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

checklist Ohio 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-technician training program.
Exam	CST Exam (NBSTSA) or TS-C Exam (NCCT) ($190)
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	30.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Ohio 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 for CST certification is not specified, but typically requires completion of a high school diploma or GED to enroll in a program. The CST exam requires 120 in-person patient cases (300-400 hours of actual OR experience).

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 are the steps to becoming a surgical technologist in Ohio? expand_more

The path to surgical technologist licensure in Ohio: complete the required education (Graduation from a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited surgical technology program, or a military surgical-technician training program.), and pass the CST Exam (NBSTSA) or TS-C Exam (NCCT).

Do I need a license to work as a surgical technologist in Ohio? expand_more

No state license is needed to work as a surgical technologist in Ohio. Note: Ohio 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 for CST certification is not specified, but typically requires completion of a high school diploma or GED to enroll in a program. The CST exam requires 120 in-person patient cases (300-400 hours of actual OR experience).

How much do surgical technologists make in Ohio? expand_more

The median surgical technologist salary in Ohio is $60,360 per year. — within a few percent of the $62,830 national figure. The range spans from $46,380 at the entry level to $78,250 for top earners.

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

Costs include exam fee ($190). The estimated total investment is varies, including education and training.

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

In Ohio, becoming a surgical technologist generally takes 9-24 months, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

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

To keep your license active, Ohio mandates 30.0 CE hours every 2.0 years.