Surgical Technologist in Kentucky: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Kentucky employs 1,440 surgical technologists, with a statewide median of $60,490 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Kentucky licensing picture, and where to train.
What Surgical technologists Earn in Kentucky (May 2025)
- Kentucky median pay
- $60,490 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $41,440
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $66,630
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $79,980
- Employed in Kentucky
- 1,440
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,830 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for surgical technologists in major Kentucky markets:
- Louisville/Jefferson County
- $63,590 (540 employed)
- Cincinnati
- $63,450 (670 employed)
- Lexington
- $61,870 (270 employed)
- Bowling Green
- $58,770 (60 employed)
- Clarksville
- $52,510 (70 employed)
- Huntington
- $51,070 (160 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Kentucky
Prices in Kentucky run about 10% below the national average (cost-of-living index 90.2 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $60,490 median stretches to roughly $67,062 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Kentucky (2024–2034)
Kentucky is projected to grow surgical technologists employment +9.2%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 130 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Kentucky License and Certification Requirements
No state license; Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) — regulated by the No Kentucky state license — NBSTSA certification is the standard.
- Kentucky 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 Kentucky state license — NBSTSA certification is the standard →
Training in Kentucky
Confirm a program's CAAHEP accreditation and CST pass rate before enrolling; hospital systems hire steadily.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Kentucky include:
- ATA College — Certificate / Associate
- American National University-Louisville — Associate
- Ashland Community and Technical College — Certificate / Associate
- Big Sandy Community and Technical College — Certificate / Associate
Where Surgical technologists Work in Kentucky
Real Kentucky surgery centers that employ surgical technologists include:
- Greenview Surgery Center — Bowling Green
- Baptist Health Cumberland Valley Surgical Center — Corbin
- Crestview Hills Surgery Center — Crestview Hills
- Tri State Digestive Disorder Center — Crestview Hills
- Heritage Development Partners, LLC — Edgewood
- Baptist Health Surgery Center Hardin — Elizabethtown
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 Kentucky?
The median wage for surgical technologists in Kentucky is $60,490 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $41,440, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $79,980. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Surgical Technologist in Kentucky?
No state license; Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), overseen by the No Kentucky state license — NBSTSA certification is the standard. Kentucky does not license surgical technologists.
Is being a Surgical Technologist a good career in Kentucky?
Operating room support is in-person, procedural, sterile, team-based, and high accountability.
Which Kentucky metros pay surgical technologists the most?
Among Kentucky metro areas, Louisville/Jefferson County leads at $63,590, followed by Cincinnati ($63,450), Lexington ($61,870). 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 Kentucky?
Real Kentucky options include ATA College, American National University-Louisville, Ashland Community and Technical 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 Kentucky?
Kentucky projects surgical technologists employment to change +9.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 130 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), Kentucky statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2055. Licensing summary compiled from the No Kentucky 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 Kentucky wages · Kentucky 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.