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Surgical Technologist in Delaware: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

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Delaware employs 340 surgical technologists, with a statewide median of $62,250 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Delaware licensing picture, and where to train.

What Surgical technologists Earn in Delaware (May 2025)

Delaware median pay: $62,250 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $48,150
Experienced (75th percentile): $74,030
Top earners (90th percentile): $79,310
Employed in Delaware: 340
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,830 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for surgical technologists in major Delaware markets:

Philadelphia: $69,650 (2,020 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Delaware

Prices in Delaware run right about the national average (cost-of-living index 99.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $62,250 median holds roughly its face value.

Job Outlook in Delaware (2024–2034)

Delaware is projected to grow surgical technologists employment +15.1%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 30 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Delaware License and Certification Requirements

No state license; Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) — regulated by the No Delaware state license — NBSTSA certification is the standard.

Delaware 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 Delaware state license — NBSTSA certification is the standard →

Training in Delaware

Confirm a program's CAAHEP accreditation and CST pass rate before enrolling; hospital systems hire steadily.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Delaware include:

Delaware Technical Community College-Terry — Associate

Where Surgical technologists Work in Delaware

Real Delaware surgery centers that employ surgical technologists include:

Delaware Surgical Arts — Newark
Limestone Medical Center, Inc — Wilmington
Advance Endoscopy Center, LLC — Dover
Central Delaware Endoscopy Uni — Dover
Delaware Surgery Center, LLC — Dover
Lewes Surgery Center — Lewes

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 Delaware?

The median wage for surgical technologists in Delaware is $62,250 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $48,150, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $79,310. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Surgical Technologist in Delaware?

No state license; Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), overseen by the No Delaware state license — NBSTSA certification is the standard. Delaware does not license surgical technologists.

Is being a Surgical Technologist a good career in Delaware?

Operating room support is in-person, procedural, sterile, team-based, and high accountability.

Which Delaware metros pay surgical technologists the most?

Among Delaware metro areas, Philadelphia leads at $69,650. 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 Delaware?

Real Delaware options include Delaware Technical Community College-Terry. Most surgical technologists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Surgical Technologist a growing career in Delaware?

Delaware projects surgical technologists employment to change +15.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 30 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), Delaware statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2055. Licensing summary compiled from the No Delaware 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 Delaware wages · Delaware 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.