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

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Indiana employs 2,680 surgical technologists, with a statewide median of $64,240 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Indiana licensing picture, and where to train.

What Surgical technologists Earn in Indiana (May 2025)

Indiana median pay: $64,240 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $51,350
Experienced (75th percentile): $77,210
Top earners (90th percentile): $80,600
Employed in Indiana: 2,680
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,830 (May 2024)

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

South Bend: $67,660 (170 employed)
Terre Haute: $64,790 (70 employed)
Indianapolis: $64,240 (860 employed)
Evansville: $64,220 (180 employed)
Fort Wayne: $63,140 (210 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Indiana

Prices in Indiana run about 7% below the national average (cost-of-living index 93.3 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $64,240 median stretches to roughly $68,853 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Indiana (2024–2034)

Indiana is projected to grow surgical technologists employment +4.3%, about in line with the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 160 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Indiana License and Certification Requirements

None required — CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) via NBSTSA is the employer standard — regulated by the No Indiana state license required for surgical technologists.

Indiana does not require a state license for surgical technologists. Complete a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program at Ivy Tech Community College or Indiana University.
Earn the CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) credential through NBSTSA — required or strongly preferred by IU Health, Ascension St. Vincent, and Franciscan Health hospital systems.
Apply to IU Health's hospital network, Ascension St. Vincent, Franciscan Health, or the growing ambulatory surgery center market in Indianapolis and surrounding suburbs.

Official requirements: No Indiana state license required for surgical technologists →

Training in Indiana

Indianapolis's large hospital systems and growing suburban ASC market create consistent surgical tech demand. Ivy Tech's statewide network offers accessible CST pathways. Indiana University Health's flagship hospital is a major academic surgical environment. Indiana surgical tech wages are below the national median — the low cost of living helps offset this.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Indiana include:

Ball State University — Associate
Caris College — Associate
Indiana University-Indianapolis — Associate
Indiana University-Kokomo — Associate

Where Surgical technologists Work in Indiana

Real Indiana surgery centers that employ surgical technologists include:

Indiana Endoscopy Centers — Indianapolis
West Indy Surgery Center — Avon
Eagle Highlands Surgery Center — Indianapolis
Eye Surgery Center of New Albany, LLC — New Albany
Beltway Surgery Centers LLC — Carmel
Joint and Spine Center — Crown Point

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 Indiana?

The median wage for surgical technologists in Indiana is $64,240 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $51,350, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $80,600. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

None required — CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) via NBSTSA is the employer standard, overseen by the No Indiana state license required for surgical technologists. Indiana does not require a state license for surgical technologists. Complete a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program at Ivy Tech Community College or Indiana University.

Is being a Surgical Technologist a good career in Indiana?

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

Which Indiana metros pay surgical technologists the most?

Among Indiana metro areas, South Bend leads at $67,660, followed by Terre Haute ($64,790), Indianapolis ($64,240). 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 Indiana?

Real Indiana options include Ball State University, Caris College, Indiana University-Indianapolis. Most surgical technologists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Surgical Technologist a growing career in Indiana?

Indiana projects surgical technologists employment to change +4.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 160 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), Indiana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2055. Licensing summary compiled from the No Indiana state license required for surgical technologists (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 Indiana wages · Indiana 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.