How to Become a Surgical Technician in Washington (2026)
Washington employs about 2,510 surgical technicians earning a median $77,270 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Surgical Technician here means completing a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program plus CST.
Key Facts
- Median wage (Washington): $77,270/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Employed in Washington: 2,510 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Location quotient: 0.94x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Projected growth: 4.5% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
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Compare Surgical Technician Schools in Washington
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bellingham Technical College | 69.4 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 44% | Yes* | 133 mi |
| 2 | Spokane Community College | 68.4 | Contact school for pricing | $52,567 | 35% | Yes* | 183 mi |
| 3 | Clover Park Technical College | 63.9 | $6,634 - $18,882 | $51,699 | 42% | Yes* | 63 mi |
| 4 | Renton Technical College | 63.3 | Contact school for pricing | $56,466 | 50% | Yes* | 56 mi |
| 5 | Columbia Basin College | 61.3 | $6,555 - $18,261 | $67,608 | 30% | — | 112 mi |
| 6 | Yakima Valley College | 55.9 | Contact school for pricing | $51,006 | 31% | — | 45 mi |
| 7 | Seattle Central College | 55.0 | Contact school for pricing | $60,072 | 31% | — | 66 mi |
| 8 | Pima Medical Institute-Seattle | 52.5 | Contact school for pricing | $42,937 | 59% | — | 70 mi |
| 9 | Mt Hood Community College | 48.8 | Contact school for pricing | $52,184 | 25% | Yes* | 122 mi |
| 10 | North Idaho College | 46.4 | Contact school for pricing | $50,312 | 37% | Yes* | 208 mi |
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.
Washington employs approximately 2,510 surgical technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $77,270 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 Washington, 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 (Washington): $77,270 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Surgical Technician in Washington
How to become a Surgical Technician in Washington? 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 Washington? 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 Washington? The median annual wage for surgical technicians in Washington is $77,270 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $55,270 and experienced professionals can earn $103,690 or more 1.
How to Become a Surgical Technician in Washington
- 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 Washington. 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 Washington
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 Washington
Surgical Technologists Wages by Metro Area in Washington
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), surgical technologists wages in Washington vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | 1,460 | $79,900 | $81,640 | $59,260 | $104,710 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 1,430 | $78,750 | $77,300 | $46,240 | $102,420 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | 650 | $82,430 | $81,840 | $61,720 | $97,100 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | 260 | $72,030 | $70,950 | $49,220 | $90,620 |
| Kennewick-Richland | 110 | $75,000 | $73,980 | $54,160 | $96,190 |
| Yakima | 90 | $64,740 | $66,160 | $53,270 | $77,020 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | 70 | $70,130 | $71,690 | $47,960 | $96,680 |
| Bellingham | 50 | $75,970 | $84,350 | $66,330 | $110,750 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | 50 | $81,470 | $79,260 | $47,680 | $112,890 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | 50 | $63,590 | $69,160 | $39,930 | $101,800 |
| Lewiston | 30 | $62,940 | $69,180 | $48,320 | $93,340 |
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 Washington? Washington currently employs approximately 2,510 surgical technicians 1. Nationally, surgical technician employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Washington? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Washington.
How much do surgical technicians earn in Washington compared to the national average? The median annual wage for surgical technicians in Washington is $77,270, which is $14,440 above the national median of $62,830 according to BLS data 1.
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In Washington
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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) |