Surgical Technologist in Illinois: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Illinois employs 3,570 surgical technologists, with a statewide median of $64,650 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Illinois licensing picture, and where to train.
What Surgical technologists Earn in Illinois (May 2025)
- Illinois median pay
- $64,650 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $48,560
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $77,670
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $91,890
- Employed in Illinois
- 3,570
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,830 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for surgical technologists in major Illinois markets:
- Bloomington
- $68,140 (80 employed)
- Chicago metro
- $66,360 (2,530 employed)
- Springfield
- $62,590 (130 employed)
- Rockford
- $61,740 (160 employed)
- Peoria
- $59,470 (180 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Illinois
Prices in Illinois run right about the national average (cost-of-living index 100.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $64,650 median holds roughly its face value.
Job Outlook in Illinois (2024–2034)
Illinois is projected to grow surgical technologists employment +10.6%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 270 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Illinois License and Certification Requirements
CST certification (employer standard); optional IDFPR registration protects the title — regulated by the IDFPR — voluntary Registered Surgical Technologist (title protection).
- Illinois has a Surgical Technologist Title Protection Act: registration with IDFPR is optional but requires a CAAHEP/ABHES-accredited program plus NBSTSA certification.
- Complete an accredited surgical technology program (9–24 months).
- Pass the CST exam — hospitals expect it regardless of whether you register the title.
Official requirements: IDFPR — voluntary Registered Surgical Technologist (title protection) →
Training in Illinois
Chicago's academic medical centers and the large suburban systems keep OR demand steady. Community college programs (Illinois Central, College of Lake County, Lincoln Land) are the affordable route.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Illinois include:
- Black Hawk College — Certificate / Associate
- Blessing Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences — Certificate / Associate
- Carl Sandburg College — Certificate / Associate
- City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College — Certificate / Associate
Where Surgical technologists Work in Illinois
Real Illinois surgery centers that employ surgical technologists include:
- Ireland Grove Center for Surgery — Bloomington
- Dreyer Ambulatory Surgery Cent — Aurora
- Glen Endoscopy Center LLC — Glenview
- Advocate Ambulatory Surgery Center-Chicago Webster — Chicago
- Oak Lawn Endoscopy Center — Oak Lawn
- Center for Orthopedic Med LLC, — Bloomington
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 Illinois?
The median wage for surgical technologists in Illinois is $64,650 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $48,560, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $91,890. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Surgical Technologist in Illinois?
CST certification (employer standard); optional IDFPR registration protects the title, overseen by the IDFPR — voluntary Registered Surgical Technologist (title protection). Illinois has a Surgical Technologist Title Protection Act: registration with IDFPR is optional but requires a CAAHEP/ABHES-accredited program plus NBSTSA certification.
Is being a Surgical Technologist a good career in Illinois?
Operating room support is in-person, procedural, sterile, team-based, and high accountability.
Which Illinois metros pay surgical technologists the most?
Among Illinois metro areas, Bloomington leads at $68,140, followed by Chicago metro ($66,360), Springfield ($62,590). 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 Illinois?
Real Illinois options include Black Hawk College, Blessing Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Carl Sandburg College. Most surgical technologists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Surgical Technologist a growing career in Illinois?
Illinois projects surgical technologists employment to change +10.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 270 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), Illinois statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2055. Licensing summary compiled from the IDFPR — voluntary Registered Surgical Technologist (title protection) (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 Illinois wages · Illinois 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.