How to Become a Surgical Technician in Texas (2026)
Texas employs about 10,160 surgical technicians earning a median $65,220 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Surgical Technician here means completing a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program plus CST.
Texas employs approximately 10,160 surgical technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $65,220 1. 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 Texas, 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 (Texas): $65,220 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Surgical Technician in Texas
How to become a Surgical Technician in Texas? 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 Texas? 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 Texas? The median annual wage for surgical technicians in Texas is $65,220 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $39,950 and experienced professionals can earn $92,580 or more 1.
How to Become a Surgical Technician in Texas
- 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 Texas. 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 Texas
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 Texas
Surgical Technologists Wages by Metro Area in Texas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), surgical technologists wages in Texas vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | 2,790 | $79,990 | $73,860 | $44,300 | $96,410 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 2,660 | $71,050 | $69,590 | $46,950 | $94,670 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 1,390 | $46,820 | $55,980 | $39,950 | $78,740 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 700 | $73,810 | $71,950 | $48,550 | $95,060 |
| El Paso | 250 | $62,980 | $59,580 | $33,730 | $76,940 |
| Corpus Christi | 200 | $50,710 | $55,780 | $39,670 | $77,580 |
| Lubbock | 190 | $63,030 | $64,580 | $50,990 | $78,500 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | 190 | $61,830 | $58,870 | $37,590 | $75,080 |
| College Station-Bryan | 140 | $58,110 | $58,780 | $28,680 | $87,650 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur | 120 | $61,650 | $60,990 | $47,280 | $73,310 |
| Amarillo | 110 | $58,440 | $56,560 | $34,600 | $73,550 |
| Waco | 90 | $66,020 | $69,080 | $51,730 | $80,350 |
| Longview | 80 | $66,210 | $63,690 | $47,760 | $77,800 |
| Abilene | 60 | $61,740 | $57,990 | $28,580 | $80,030 |
| Sherman-Denison | 50 | $62,500 | $58,620 | $29,330 | $75,440 |
| Victoria | 40 | $63,000 | $57,700 | $30,540 | $74,910 |
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 Texas? Texas currently employs approximately 10,160 surgical technicians 1. Nationally, surgical technician employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Texas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Texas.
How much do surgical technicians earn in Texas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for surgical technicians in Texas is $65,220, which is $2,390 above the national median of $62,830 according to BLS data 1.
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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) |