How long does surgical technician training take in Alaska?

Most people become a Surgical Technician in Alaska through a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program plus CST.

Do surgical technicians need a license in Alaska?

No statewide license is required for surgical technicians in Alaska. Most employers expect industry certifications such as NBSTSA CST.

How to Become a Surgical Technician in Alaska (2026)

Q: How much do surgical technicians earn in Alaska?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), surgical technicians in Alaska earned a median annual wage of approximately $80,380. Employment concentration in Alaska is about 1.28 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: What is the job outlook for surgical technicians in Alaska?

Alaska currently employs approximately 310 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4.5% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Alaska surgical technologists earn a median annual wage of $80,380 ($38.65/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 310 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 24.3% above the national median of $64,650 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $80,380 ($38.65/hr)
25th percentile: $63,480 per year
75th percentile: $93,470 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $101,060 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $54,840 per year
Workers employed in Alaska: 310
Versus national median: 24.3% above the U.S. median of $64,650
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.28 - this occupation is more concentrated in Alaska than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Alaska employs about 310 surgical technicians earning a median $80,380 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Surgical Technician here means completing a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program plus CST.

Alaska employs approximately 310 surgical technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $80,380 ¹. The state’s concentration of surgical technician jobs is 1.28x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, surgical technician employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 7,000 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a Surgical Technician in Alaska, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program (find programs)
Typical timeline: a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program plus CST
Exam: NBSTSA CST
Median wage (Alaska): $80,380 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Surgical Technician in Alaska

How to become a Surgical Technician in Alaska? Complete a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program plus CST. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.

How long does it take? Most people finish a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program plus CST. Confirm current hour totals with the program and employer.

Do I need a license in Alaska? Most states do not require a statewide occupational license. Employers typically expect NBSTSA CST. See the licensing section below.

What do surgical technicians earn in Alaska? The median annual wage for surgical technicians in Alaska is $80,380 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $54,840 and experienced professionals can earn $101,060 or more ¹.

How to Become a Surgical Technician in Alaska

Meet program entry rules. Programs typically require a high school diploma or GED.
Complete an accredited surgical technology program. Finish a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited program in Alaska. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
Pass CST. Pass the NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist exam.
Confirm state registration. Some states register surgical technologists. Confirm with the program and employer rather than assuming a statewide license everywhere.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.

Surgical Technician License Requirements in Alaska

Surgical technologists typically complete a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited program and pass CST. Some states add registration.

Typical path

Complete an accredited surgical technology program.
Pass CST.
Register with the state if required.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.

Surgical Technician Wages by Metro Area in Alaska

Surgical Technologists Wages by Metro Area in Alaska

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), surgical technologists wages in Alaska vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Anchorage	210	$80,880	$81,610	$58,930	$103,150
Fairbanks-College	30	$75,640	$70,150	$54,140	$92,310

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for surgical technicians in Alaska? Alaska currently employs approximately 310 surgical technicians ¹. Nationally, surgical technician employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in Alaska? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Alaska.

How much do surgical technicians earn in Alaska compared to the national average? The median annual wage for surgical technicians in Alaska is $80,380, which is $17,550 above the national median of $62,830 according to BLS data ¹.

In Alaska

Best Trade Schools in Alaska (2026)

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Citations

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/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

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)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)