Surgical Technologist in Massachusetts: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Massachusetts employs 2,220 surgical technologists, with a statewide median of $80,870 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Massachusetts licensing picture, and where to train.
What Surgical technologists Earn in Massachusetts (May 2025)
- Massachusetts median pay
- $80,870 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $60,350
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $98,300
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $109,550
- Employed in Massachusetts
- 2,220
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,830 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for surgical technologists in major Massachusetts markets:
- Cape Cod
- $82,860 (50 employed)
- Boston
- $81,500 (1,550 employed)
- Springfield
- $78,510 (220 employed)
- Worcester
- $77,610 (210 employed)
- Providence
- $77,270 (380 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Massachusetts
Prices in Massachusetts run about 6% above the national average (cost-of-living index 105.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $80,870 median is worth closer to $76,437 once higher local prices are factored in.
Job Outlook in Massachusetts (2024–2034)
Massachusetts is projected to grow surgical technologists employment +1.9%, slower than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 130 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Massachusetts License and Certification Requirements
None required — CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) via NBSTSA is the employer standard — regulated by the No Massachusetts state license required for surgical technologists.
- Massachusetts does not require a state license for surgical technologists. Complete a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program at Quinsigamond Community College or Bunker Hill Community College.
- Earn the CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) credential through NBSTSA — required or strongly preferred by Mass General, Brigham and Women's, Beth Israel Deaconess, and Boston Medical Center.
- Apply to Boston's large academic medical centers, community hospitals, or the growing ambulatory surgery center network across Massachusetts.
Official requirements: No Massachusetts state license required for surgical technologists →
Training in Massachusetts
Boston's concentration of Level I trauma centers, academic medical centers, and specialty surgical programs creates exceptional surgical tech opportunities. Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's, and Boston Children's Hospital offer some of the most advanced surgical environments in the country. Massachusetts surgical tech wages are among the highest nationally.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Massachusetts include:
- Berkshire Community College — Associate
- Bristol Community College — Certificate
- Bunker Hill Community College — Certificate / Associate
- Cape Cod Community College — Certificate
Where Surgical technologists Work in Massachusetts
Real Massachusetts surgery centers that employ surgical technologists include:
- Middlesex Digestive Health & Endoscopy Ctr — Acton
- Cataract & Laser Center Associates, PC — Adams
- Valley Medical Group Amb Surg & Proc Ctr — Amherst
- Cataract & Laser Center of the North Shore LLC — Andover
- Four Women — Attleboro
- Endoscopy Center the — Auburn
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 Massachusetts?
The median wage for surgical technologists in Massachusetts is $80,870 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $60,350, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $109,550. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Surgical Technologist in Massachusetts?
None required — CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) via NBSTSA is the employer standard, overseen by the No Massachusetts state license required for surgical technologists. Massachusetts does not require a state license for surgical technologists. Complete a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program at Quinsigamond Community College or Bunker Hill Community College.
Is being a Surgical Technologist a good career in Massachusetts?
Operating room support is in-person, procedural, sterile, team-based, and high accountability.
Which Massachusetts metros pay surgical technologists the most?
Among Massachusetts metro areas, Cape Cod leads at $82,860, followed by Boston ($81,500), Springfield ($78,510). 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 Massachusetts?
Real Massachusetts options include Berkshire Community College, Bristol Community College, Bunker Hill 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 Massachusetts?
Massachusetts projects surgical technologists employment to change +1.9% 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), Massachusetts statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2055. Licensing summary compiled from the No Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts wages · Massachusetts 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.