Surgical Technologist in Alabama: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Alabama employs 2,480 surgical technologists, with a statewide median of $49,420 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Alabama licensing picture, and where to train.
What Surgical technologists Earn in Alabama (May 2025)
- Alabama median pay
- $49,420 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $36,490
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $59,990
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $64,360
- Employed in Alabama
- 2,480
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,830 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for surgical technologists in major Alabama markets:
- Columbus
- $58,170 (120 employed)
- Huntsville
- $51,710 (450 employed)
- Birmingham
- $51,520 (700 employed)
- Mobile
- $49,910 (240 employed)
- Tuscaloosa
- $49,190 (80 employed)
- Montgomery
- $49,130 (270 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Alabama
Prices in Alabama run about 11% below the national average (cost-of-living index 88.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $49,420 median stretches to roughly $55,653 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Alabama (2024–2034)
Alabama is projected to grow surgical technologists employment +4.9%, about in line with the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 170 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Alabama License and Certification Requirements
No state license; Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) — regulated by the No Alabama state license — NBSTSA certification is the standard.
- Alabama does not license surgical technologists.
- Complete a CAAHEP-accredited surgical technology program (~1–2 years).
- Earn the NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential — the hiring standard.
Official requirements: No Alabama state license — NBSTSA certification is the standard →
Training in Alabama
Confirm a program's CAAHEP accreditation and CST pass rate before enrolling; hospital systems hire steadily.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Alabama include:
- Bevill State Community College — Certificate / Associate
- Bishop State Community College — Associate
- Cardiac and Vascular Institute of Ultrasound — Certificate
- Chattahoochee Valley Community College — Certificate / Associate
Where Surgical technologists Work in Alabama
Real Alabama surgery centers that employ surgical technologists include:
- The Surgery Center of Huntsville — Huntsville
- Grandview Endoscopy Center — Birmingham
- Surgicare of Mobile — Mobile
- Decatur Ambulatory Surgery Center — Decatur
- Mobile Surgery Center — Mobile
- Tuscaloosa Surgical Center — Tuscaloosa
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: Focused people who like structured clinical environments and precise routines.
Think twice if: Blood, surgery, standing for long cases, or high-pressure teams are dealbreakers.
Why it's resilient: Operating room support is in-person, procedural, sterile, team-based, and high accountability.
First Steps
Look for accredited surgical technology programs and clinical placement details.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Alabama?
The median wage for surgical technologists in Alabama is $49,420 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $36,490, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $64,360. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Surgical Technologist in Alabama?
No state license; Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), overseen by the No Alabama state license — NBSTSA certification is the standard. Alabama does not license surgical technologists.
Is being a Surgical Technologist a good career in Alabama?
Operating room support is in-person, procedural, sterile, team-based, and high accountability.
Which Alabama metros pay surgical technologists the most?
Among Alabama metro areas, Columbus leads at $58,170, followed by Huntsville ($51,710), Birmingham ($51,520). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become a Surgical Technologist in Alabama?
Real Alabama options include Bevill State Community College, Bishop State Community College, Cardiac and Vascular Institute of Ultrasound. Most surgical technologists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Surgical Technologist a growing career in Alabama?
Alabama projects surgical technologists employment to change +4.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 170 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Alabama statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2055. Licensing summary compiled from the No Alabama state license — NBSTSA certification is the standard (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Alabama wages · Alabama licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.