Surgical Technologist in Louisiana: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Louisiana employs 2,230 surgical technologists, with a statewide median of $57,370 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Louisiana licensing picture, and where to train.
What Surgical technologists Earn in Louisiana (May 2025)
- Louisiana median pay
- $57,370 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $36,580
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $62,790
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $74,650
- Employed in Louisiana
- 2,230
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,830 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for surgical technologists in major Louisiana markets:
- Baton Rouge
- $60,230 (470 employed)
- Slidell
- $59,100 (170 employed)
- Lake Charles
- $58,850 (60 employed)
- New Orleans
- $58,660 (590 employed)
- Lafayette
- $53,770 (220 employed)
- Shreveport
- $51,770 (230 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Louisiana
Prices in Louisiana run about 12% below the national average (cost-of-living index 88.2 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $57,370 median stretches to roughly $65,045 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Louisiana (2024–2034)
Louisiana is projected to grow surgical technologists employment +1.4%, slower than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 120 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Louisiana License and Certification Requirements
No state license; Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) — regulated by the No Louisiana state license — NBSTSA certification is the standard.
- Louisiana 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 Louisiana state license — NBSTSA certification is the standard →
Training in Louisiana
Confirm a program's CAAHEP accreditation and CST pass rate before enrolling; hospital systems hire steadily.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Louisiana include:
- Baton Rouge Community College — Certificate / Associate
- Baton Rouge General Medical Center School of Nursing & School of Radiologic Technology — Certificate
- Bossier Parish Community College — Certificate / Associate
- Central Louisiana Technical Community College — Certificate
Where Surgical technologists Work in Louisiana
Real Louisiana surgery centers that employ surgical technologists include:
- Nga Endoscopy Center — Covington
- Cardiovascular Surgery Center — Lafayette
- Christus Cabrini Surgery Center LLC — Alexandria
- Wallace Laser and Surgery Center — Alexandria
- Advanced Surgical Care of Baton Rouge — Baton Rouge
- Baton Rouge Vascular Access Asc, LLC — Baton Rouge
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 Louisiana?
The median wage for surgical technologists in Louisiana is $57,370 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $36,580, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $74,650. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Surgical Technologist in Louisiana?
No state license; Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), overseen by the No Louisiana state license — NBSTSA certification is the standard. Louisiana does not license surgical technologists.
Is being a Surgical Technologist a good career in Louisiana?
Operating room support is in-person, procedural, sterile, team-based, and high accountability.
Which Louisiana metros pay surgical technologists the most?
Among Louisiana metro areas, Baton Rouge leads at $60,230, followed by Slidell ($59,100), Lake Charles ($58,850). 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 Louisiana?
Real Louisiana options include Baton Rouge Community College, Baton Rouge General Medical Center School of Nursing & School of Radiologic Technology, Bossier Parish Community 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 Louisiana?
Louisiana projects surgical technologists employment to change +1.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 120 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), Louisiana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2055. Licensing summary compiled from the No Louisiana 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 Louisiana wages · Louisiana 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.