Surgical Technologist in Missouri: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Missouri employs 2,100 surgical technologists, with a statewide median of $61,120 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Missouri licensing picture, and where to train.
What Surgical technologists Earn in Missouri (May 2025)
- Missouri median pay
- $61,120 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $44,930
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $68,410
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $78,410
- Employed in Missouri
- 2,100
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,830 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for surgical technologists in major Missouri markets:
- Kansas City metro
- $62,250 (980 employed)
- St. Louis metro
- $61,790 (810 employed)
- Springfield
- $61,120 (320 employed)
- Joplin
- $56,750 (100 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Missouri
Prices in Missouri run about 9% below the national average (cost-of-living index 90.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $61,120 median stretches to roughly $67,313 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Missouri (2024–2034)
Missouri is projected to grow surgical technologists employment +6.5%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 140 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Missouri License and Certification Requirements
CST certification — employer standard, not state law — regulated by the No Missouri license or state certification requirement.
- Missouri has no surgical tech licensing law — but hospitals overwhelmingly require or strongly prefer CST certification, so treat it as mandatory.
- Complete a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program (9–24 months).
- Pass the CST exam (NBSTSA).
Official requirements: No Missouri license or state certification requirement →
Training in Missouri
BJC, Mercy, and SSM's OR volume keeps demand steady in St. Louis; Saint Luke's and University Health anchor KC. Community college programs (STLCC, Metropolitan CC) are the affordable route.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Missouri include:
- Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center — Certificate / Associate
- Concorde Career College-Kansas City — Certificate / Associate
- Cox College — Associate
- Crowder College — Certificate / Associate
Where Surgical technologists Work in Missouri
Real Missouri surgery centers that employ surgical technologists include:
- Advanced Endoscopy Center, LLC — Creve Coeur
- Centerpoint Ambulatory Surgery Center — Independence
- Saint Luke's - G. I. Diagnostics, LLC — Kansas City
- Auburn Surgery Center, Inc. — Cape Girardeau
- Des Peres Square Surgery Center — Des Peres
- Restorative Surgery Center, LLC — Florissant
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 Missouri?
The median wage for surgical technologists in Missouri is $61,120 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $44,930, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $78,410. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Surgical Technologist in Missouri?
CST certification — employer standard, not state law, overseen by the No Missouri license or state certification requirement. Missouri has no surgical tech licensing law — but hospitals overwhelmingly require or strongly prefer CST certification, so treat it as mandatory.
Is being a Surgical Technologist a good career in Missouri?
Operating room support is in-person, procedural, sterile, team-based, and high accountability.
Which Missouri metros pay surgical technologists the most?
Among Missouri metro areas, Kansas City metro leads at $62,250, followed by St. Louis metro ($61,790), Springfield ($61,120). 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 Missouri?
Real Missouri options include Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center, Concorde Career College-Kansas City, Cox 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 Missouri?
Missouri projects surgical technologists employment to change +6.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 140 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), Missouri statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2055. Licensing summary compiled from the No Missouri license or state certification requirement (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 Missouri wages · Missouri 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.