Surgical Technologist in Oregon

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

Median annual salary

$79,410

trending_up +26.4% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Oregon.

engineering

1,190

Jobs (OR)

monitoring Strong

+4.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$450

Licensing fees

schedule

9-24 months

Time to complete

route How to become a surgical technologist in Oregon

To become a Surgical Technologist in Oregon, individuals must meet specific requirements set by the Oregon Health Authority. This typically involves completing a surgical technology program accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES and obtaining national certification from the NBSTSA or NCCT. Alternatively, individuals can complete an approved apprenticeship program and obtain NCCT certification. While Oregon does not issue a state license, healthcare facilities are required to ensure their surgical technologists meet these established standards.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $59,510

25th percentile $66,280

50th (median) $79,410

75th percentile $85,350

90th (experienced) $98,520

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

checklist Oregon requirements

Licensing body	Oregon Health Authority
State license	Not required
Education	Completion of a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited surgical technology program, OR completion of a registered apprenticeship program in surgical technology approved by the Oregon Health Authority and certified by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT).
Exam	NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Exam or NCCT Surgical Technologist certification ($350)
Application fee	$100
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	16.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Oregon requires individuals practicing surgical technology in a healthcare facility to meet specific education and certification requirements. While there isn't a state 'license,' individuals must provide documentation to their healthcare facility showing they meet these requirements. These requirements include completing an accredited surgical technology program and holding national certification (NBSTSA or NCCT), or completing an approved apprenticeship program and holding NCCT certification. There are also provisions for those who practiced surgical technology prior to January 1, 2017, and for those in rural or medically underserved communities. Continuing education of 16 hours every two years is required for those who qualified under the grandfathering clause or certain apprenticeship pathways. The education requirements do not apply to licensed healthcare practitioners whose scope of practice includes surgical technologist duties.

Source: Oregon Health Authority

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.

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Oregon local market depth

Detailed OR wage spread, West-Coast portability, and Oregon Medical Board surgical technologist registration specifics — Oregon ranks among the highest-paying states for surgical techs nationally.

analytics OR wage spread (BLS OEWS)

10th percentile$59,510
25th percentile$66,280
Median$79,410
75th percentile$85,350
90th percentile$98,520

OR state-level annual wages from BLS OEWS. Oregon's surgical-tech median ($79,410) is among the top three states nationally and is anchored by major Portland-area systems including OHSU, Providence, and Legacy Health, plus union scale at multiple facilities. The state employs about 1,190 surgical technologists.

compare_arrows West Coast portability

Oregon's CST-based registration is portable across most West-Coast states. Wage data shows where the CST credential pays best in the region.

California$83,240 mean
Oregon$78,460 mean
Nevada$74,330 mean
Washington$74,880 mean
Idaho$63,630 mean

Annual mean wages from BLS OEWS. California pays modestly more on a mean basis, but Oregon's median outpaces both WA and NV. Idaho is the regional outlier — expect a meaningful pay cut moving east.

gavel Oregon Medical Board specifics

Authority: Oregon Medical Board — surgical technologists are registered (not licensed) under Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 678.
Path: Complete a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical-technology program, pass the NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam ($350), and submit OMB registration ($100).
Maintenance: Registration is contingent on maintaining active CST certification through NBSTSA — Oregon does not impose its own CE schedule, but NBSTSA requires 60 CE credits over 4 years.
Grandfathering: Limited grandfathering exists for surgical techs employed in Oregon prior to ORS 678 enactment; new entrants must meet the CST pathway.
Portability: Because registration tracks national certification, an Oregon-registered CST can typically practice in any state requiring CST without a new exam — pay differentials matter more than licensure friction.

Source: Oregon Medical Board — Surgical Technologist registration.

Frequently asked questions

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

Oregon requires surgical technologists to complete the required education (Completion of a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited surgical technology program, OR completion of a registered apprenticeship program in surgical technology approved by the Oregon Health Authority and certified by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT).), pass the NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Exam or NCCT Surgical Technologist certification, and submit your application ($100 fee).

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

Oregon does not require a state license for surgical technologists. Note: Oregon requires individuals practicing surgical technology in a healthcare facility to meet specific education and certification requirements. While there isn't a state 'license,' individuals must provide documentation to their healthcare facility showing they meet these requirements. These requirements include completing an accredited surgical technology program and holding national certification (NBSTSA or NCCT), or completing an approved apprenticeship program and holding NCCT certification. There are also provisions for those who practiced surgical technology prior to January 1, 2017, and for those in rural or medically underserved communities. Continuing education of 16 hours every two years is required for those who qualified under the grandfathering clause or certain apprenticeship pathways. The education requirements do not apply to licensed healthcare practitioners whose scope of practice includes surgical technologist duties.

How much do surgical technologists make in Oregon? expand_more

Oregon surgical technologists bring home a median salary of $79,410. That's 26% above the national median of $62,830. The range spans from $59,510 at the entry level to $98,520 for top earners.

How expensive is surgical technologist licensing in Oregon? expand_more

The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($350) and application fee ($100) and required training.

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

Expect to spend 9-24 months from start to finish in Oregon — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

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

Yes — surgical technologists in Oregon must complete 16.0 CE hours every 2.0 years to stay licensed.