How long does surgical technician training take in Virginia?

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

Do surgical technicians need a license in Virginia?

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

How to Become a Surgical Technician in Virginia (2026)

Q: How much do surgical technicians earn in Virginia?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), surgical technicians in Virginia earned a median annual wage of approximately $67,580. Employment concentration in Virginia is roughly 0.62 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

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

Virginia currently employs approximately 1,910 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

Virginia surgical technologists earn a median annual wage of $67,580 ($32.49/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 1,910 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 4.5% above the national median of $64,650 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $67,580 ($32.49/hr)
25th percentile: $59,110 per year
75th percentile: $84,100 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $102,020 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $47,980 per year
Workers employed in Virginia: 1,910
Versus national median: 4.5% above the U.S. median of $64,650
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.62 - this occupation is less concentrated in Virginia than the national average

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

Virginia employs about 1,910 surgical technicians earning a median $67,580 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 Virginia

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. 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	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Piedmont Virginia Community College	62.2	Contact school for pricing	$51,090	37%	Yes*	53 mi
2	Germanna Community College	61.1	Contact school for pricing	$51,929	42%	Yes*	86 mi
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3	Laurel Ridge Community College	55.8	Contact school for pricing	$49,868	42%	Yes*	124 mi
4	Virginia Western Community College	54.1	Contact school for pricing	$48,004	40%	Yes*	70 mi
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5	J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	52.7	Contact school for pricing	$54,140	31%	Yes*	71 mi
6	Wilson Community College	52.1	Contact school for pricing	$48,262	Not reported	Yes*	116 mi
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7	Durham Technical Community College	49.8	Contact school for pricing	$57,868	40%	Yes*	90 mi
8	Edgecombe Community College	46.9	Contact school for pricing	$46,820	45%	Yes*	115 mi
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9	Rockingham Community College	43.0	Contact school for pricing	$44,278	32%	—	85 mi
10	Guilford Technical Community College	35.2	$2,320 - $20,529	$44,924	31%	Yes*	111 mi
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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.

Virginia employs approximately 1,910 surgical technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $67,580 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 Virginia, 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 (Virginia): $67,580 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Surgical Technician in Virginia

How to become a Surgical Technician in Virginia? 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 Virginia? 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 Virginia? The median annual wage for surgical technicians in Virginia is $67,580 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $47,980 and experienced professionals can earn $102,020 or more ¹.

How to Become a Surgical Technician in Virginia

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 Virginia. 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 Virginia

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 Virginia

Surgical Technologists Wages by Metro Area in Virginia

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria	1,430	$78,750	$77,300	$46,240	$102,420
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk	420	$65,370	$68,620	$39,540	$94,000
Richmond	380	$60,980	$64,570	$47,870	$90,500
Kingsport-Bristol	110	$60,500	$60,060	$40,350	$77,200
Roanoke	110	$61,600	$61,580	$36,200	$79,080

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 Virginia? Virginia currently employs approximately 1,910 surgical technicians ¹. Nationally, surgical technician employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 ².

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

How much do surgical technicians earn in Virginia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for surgical technicians in Virginia is $67,580, which is $4,750 above the national median of $62,830 according to BLS data ¹.

In Virginia

Best Trade Schools in Virginia (2026)

Top local programs

Explore More Trades in Virginia

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)