How long does surgical technician training take in Oklahoma?

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

Do surgical technicians need a license in Oklahoma?

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

How to Become a Surgical Technician in Oklahoma (2026)

Q: How much do surgical technicians earn in Oklahoma?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), surgical technicians in Oklahoma earned a median annual wage of approximately $61,190. Employment concentration in Oklahoma is about 1.51 times the national average for this occupation.

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

Oklahoma currently employs approximately 1,940 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

Oklahoma surgical technologists earn a median annual wage of $61,190 ($29.42/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 1,940 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -5.4% below the national median of $64,650 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $61,190 ($29.42/hr)
25th percentile: $52,720 per year
75th percentile: $65,120 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $77,320 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $49,200 per year
Workers employed in Oklahoma: 1,940
Versus national median: -5.4% below the U.S. median of $64,650
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.51 - this occupation is more concentrated in Oklahoma than the national average

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

Oklahoma employs about 1,940 surgical technicians earning a median $61,190 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Surgical Technician here means completing a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program plus CST.

Compare Surgical Technician Schools in Oklahoma

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition (published, per year)	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Tulsa Technology Center	68.6	Contact school for pricing	$42,754	81%	—	60 mi
2	Indian Capital Technology Center-Muskogee	68.1	Contact school for pricing	$36,725	100%	—	92 mi
Sponsored Ad
3	Moore Norman Technology Center	65.2	Contact school for pricing	$42,499	91%	—	47 mi
4	Central Technology Center	64.0	Contact school for pricing	$41,040	85%	—	23 mi
Sponsored Ad
5	Wes Watkins Technology Center	60.4	Contact school for pricing	$42,011	98%	—	57 mi
6	Community Care College	52.8	Contact school for pricing	$31,820	67%	Yes*	62 mi
Sponsored Ad
7	Tulsa Community College	48.7	$3,792 in-state / $9,720 out-of-state	$50,755	28%	Yes*	58 mi
8	Canadian Valley Technology Center	48.7	Contact school for pricing	$48,081	71%	—	60 mi
Sponsored Ad
9	Metro Technology Centers	45.5	Contact school for pricing	$47,829	35%	—	37 mi
10	Autry Technology Center	43.0	Contact school for pricing	$44,150	75%	—	67 mi
Sponsored Ad

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Oklahoma employs approximately 1,940 surgical technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $61,190 ¹. The state’s concentration of surgical technician jobs is 1.51x 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 Oklahoma, 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 (Oklahoma): $61,190 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Surgical Technician in Oklahoma

How to become a Surgical Technician in Oklahoma? 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 Oklahoma? 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 Oklahoma? The median annual wage for surgical technicians in Oklahoma is $61,190 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $49,200 and experienced professionals can earn $77,320 or more ¹.

How to Become a Surgical Technician in Oklahoma

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 Oklahoma. 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 Oklahoma

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 Oklahoma

Surgical Technologists Wages by Metro Area in Oklahoma

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Oklahoma City	930	$64,290	$63,410	$50,230	$78,490
Tulsa	560	$59,570	$58,600	$50,420	$72,510
Fort Smith	170	$61,890	$65,140	$40,390	$102,400
Lawton	70	$59,110	$57,350	$47,260	$72,270
Enid	50	$59,920	$60,170	$48,170	$70,910

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 Oklahoma? Oklahoma currently employs approximately 1,940 surgical technicians ¹. Nationally, surgical technician employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 ².

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

How much do surgical technicians earn in Oklahoma compared to the national average? The median annual wage for surgical technicians in Oklahoma is $61,190, which is $1,640 below the national median of $62,830 according to BLS data ¹.

In Oklahoma

Best Trade Schools in Oklahoma (2026)

Top local programs

Explore More Trades in Oklahoma

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)