Best Surgical Tech Programs in Abernathy, Texas (2026)
Surgical techs in Texas earn a median $65,220 a year (BLS OEWS, 2025), and Abernathy sits within reach of accredited training. Compare CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited certificate and associate degree programs near Abernathy, plan your clinical rotations, and prepare for the NBSTSA CST exam.
Key Facts
- Texas median wage: $65,220/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Projected growth: +4.5% (2024–2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2025)
- Annual openings (U.S.): ~7,000/yr (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2025)
- Typical program length: 12–24 months (Source: CAAHEP/ABHES program data, 2024)
- SOC code: 29-2055 (Surgical Technologists) (Source: BLS, 2025)
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Surgical Tech Schools Near Abernathy
Schools below are sorted by distance from Abernathy (closest first). Compare program length, schedule, accreditation, and credential alignment.
No schools in our database. If this is a mistake, contact us.
Surgical Technologist Pay and Job Outlook
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th | $45,940 |
| 25th | $54,690 |
| 50th (median) | $64,650 |
| 75th | $79,750 |
| 90th | $96,940 |
| Year | Employment |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 115,600 |
| 2034 projected | 120,800 |
| Percent change | +4.5% |
Surgical Tech Pay & Outlook
Surgical technologists in Texas earn a median of $65,220 per year, ranging from about $39,950 (10th percentile) to $92,580 (90th percentile) (BLS OEWS, 2025).
Texas employed about 10,160 surgical technologists (BLS OEWS, 2025).
Nationally, BLS projects employment to change about +4.5% over 2024–2034, with roughly 7,000 openings a year (BLS Employment Projections, 2025).
Texas Quick Facts
- Location quotient: 0.96 (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025) — concentration of surgical tech jobs relative to the U.S. average.
- Mean hourly wage: $32.04 (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Title regulation: Surgical tech licensing is set at the state level; confirm current requirements with the Texas health board.
How to Become a Surgical Tech in Texas
- Enroll in an accredited surgical technology program. Complete a certificate, diploma, or associate degree in surgical technology from a program accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES.
- Complete clinical rotations. Finish supervised clinical rotations in an operating room, mastering sterile technique, instrumentation, and case setup.
- Pass a national certification exam. Sit for the NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam or the NCCT Tech in Surgery-Certified (TS-C) exam, based on employer preference.
- Apply for surgical tech positions. Apply to hospitals and outpatient surgery centers; many employers list CST certification as a hiring or advancement requirement.
Pathways & Clinical Hours
Surgical technology is learned through accredited classroom-plus-clinical programs rather than registered apprenticeships. Programs combine lab work on instrument sets with supervised operating-room rotations; total clinical hours vary by school, so confirm requirements with each program and the state health board.
What You Study
- Sterile technique, aseptic practice, and infection control
- Surgical instrumentation and case setup
- Anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology
- Operating-room roles and patient safety
- Supervised clinical rotations
Choosing a Surgical Tech Program
- Confirm accreditation recognized by CAAHEP or ABHES first.
- Ask about lab time on instrument sets and simulation equipment.
- Compare evening, weekend, and accelerated schedules that fit your life.
- Review clinical placement support and certification exam pass rates. Individual outcomes may vary.
Popular Online Programs In Texas
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Related guides
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Next Steps
- Return to the main guide: Trade schools in Abernathy
- Explore the career outlook: Surgical Tech trade profile
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical techs earn in Texas?
Surgical technologists in Texas earned a median wage of $65,220 per year (BLS OEWS, 2025). Pay varies by employer, shift, and experience.
Is surgical technology a growing career?
BLS projects employment of surgical technologists to change about +4.5% over the 2024–2034 decade (BLS Employment Projections, 2025), with roughly 7,000 openings a year.
How long is a surgical tech program near Abernathy?
Most surgical technology programs take about 12 to 24 months. Certificate and diploma tracks are shorter, while associate degrees run roughly two years. Confirm the schedule with each school.
What certification do surgical techs need?
Many employers prefer the NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential or the NCCT Tech in Surgery-Certified (TS-C). Requirements vary by employer; some states regulate the title.
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |