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

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Pennsylvania employs 4,490 surgical technologists, with a statewide median of $62,680 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Pennsylvania licensing picture, and where to train.

What Surgical technologists Earn in Pennsylvania (May 2025)

Pennsylvania median pay: $62,680 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $47,130
Experienced (75th percentile): $72,020
Top earners (90th percentile): $77,760
Employed in Pennsylvania: 4,490
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,830 (May 2024)

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

Philadelphia metro: $69,650 (2,020 employed)
Lancaster: $62,680 (240 employed)
Pittsburgh: $62,370 (890 employed)
Lehigh Valley: $62,250 (370 employed)
Harrisburg: $61,730 (330 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Pennsylvania

Prices in Pennsylvania run about 2% below the national average (cost-of-living index 97.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $62,680 median stretches to roughly $64,221 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Pennsylvania (2024–2034)

Pennsylvania is projected to grow surgical technologists employment +3.2%, slower than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 290 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Pennsylvania License and Certification Requirements

CST credential — required by Act 80 to practice in PA facilities — regulated by the No license — PA Act 80 of 2020 requires accredited training + national certification.

Pennsylvania's Act 80 (2020) requires surgical technologists to complete an accredited program, pass a national certification exam (CST), and maintain it.
Complete a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program (9–24 months).
Maintain 30 hours of continuing education every two years — the law makes CE mandatory, not optional.

Official requirements: No license — PA Act 80 of 2020 requires accredited training + national certification →

Training in Pennsylvania

UPMC and Penn Medicine's enormous OR volume anchors demand. Community college programs (CCAC, Delaware County CC, HACC) are the affordable route; Act 80 grandfathering windows have closed, so the accredited-program path is now the only door.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Pennsylvania include:

All-State Career School — Certificate / Associate
Alvernia University — Associate
Bucks County Community College — Certificate / Associate
Butler County Community College — Certificate / Associate

Where Surgical technologists Work in Pennsylvania

Real Pennsylvania surgery centers that employ surgical technologists include:

Valley Eye Surgical Center — Bethlehem
Carlisle Endoscopy Center — Carlisle
Mid-Atlantic Gastrointestinal Center II — Ephrata
West Chester Endoscopy Center — West Chester
Gi-Asc, LLC — Bensalem
Bryn Mawr Medical Specialists — Bryn Mawr

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 Pennsylvania?

The median wage for surgical technologists in Pennsylvania is $62,680 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $47,130, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $77,760. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

CST credential — required by Act 80 to practice in PA facilities, overseen by the No license — PA Act 80 of 2020 requires accredited training + national certification. Pennsylvania's Act 80 (2020) requires surgical technologists to complete an accredited program, pass a national certification exam (CST), and maintain it.

Is being a Surgical Technologist a good career in Pennsylvania?

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

Which Pennsylvania metros pay surgical technologists the most?

Among Pennsylvania metro areas, Philadelphia metro leads at $69,650, followed by Lancaster ($62,680), Pittsburgh ($62,370). 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 Pennsylvania?

Real Pennsylvania options include All-State Career School, Alvernia University, Bucks County 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 Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania projects surgical technologists employment to change +3.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 290 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), Pennsylvania statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2055. Licensing summary compiled from the No license — PA Act 80 of 2020 requires accredited training + national certification (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 Pennsylvania wages · Pennsylvania 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.