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

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Washington employs 2,510 surgical technologists, with a statewide median of $77,270 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Washington licensing picture, and where to train.

What Surgical technologists Earn in Washington (May 2025)

Washington median pay: $77,270 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $55,270
Experienced (75th percentile): $90,620
Top earners (90th percentile): $103,690
Employed in Washington: 2,510
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,830 (May 2024)

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

Seattle–Tacoma: $79,900 (1,460 employed)
Bellingham: $75,970 (50 employed)
Tri-Cities: $75,000 (110 employed)
Spokane: $72,030 (260 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Washington

Prices in Washington run about 7% above the national average (cost-of-living index 107.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $77,270 median is worth closer to $72,215 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Washington (2024–2034)

Washington is projected to grow surgical technologists employment +17.7%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 240 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Washington License and Certification Requirements

None required — CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) via NBSTSA is the standard credential — regulated by the No Washington state license required for surgical technologists.

Washington does not require a state license for surgical technologists. The standard entry path is completing a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program (typically a 2-year associate degree) with clinical rotations in the OR.
Earn the CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) credential through NBSTSA (National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting) — required by most hospitals in Washington.
Apply to hospital surgical departments, ambulatory surgery centers, or large surgical group practices. UW Medical Center, Swedish, Virginia Mason, and Providence are major employers.

Official requirements: No Washington state license required for surgical technologists →

Training in Washington

Spokane Community College and Clover Park Technical College run accredited surgical technology programs. Washington's large hospital systems in the Puget Sound area and the growing ambulatory surgery sector in Spokane create steady demand.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Washington include:

Bates Technical College — Certificate / Associate
Bellevue College — Certificate / Associate
Bellingham Technical College — Associate
Carrington College-Spokane — Associate

Where Surgical technologists Work in Washington

Real Washington surgery centers that employ surgical technologists include:

Kemp Surgery Center — Everett
The Orthopaedic Surgery Center — Spokane
Sunrise Endoscopy Center — Puyallup
Overlake Surgery Center LLC — Bellevue
Digestive Health Network Endoscopy Center — Federal Way
Southwest Washington Regional Surgery — Vancouver

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 Washington?

The median wage for surgical technologists in Washington is $77,270 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $55,270, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $103,690. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

None required — CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) via NBSTSA is the standard credential, overseen by the No Washington state license required for surgical technologists. Washington does not require a state license for surgical technologists. The standard entry path is completing a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program (typically a 2-year associate degree) with clinical rotations in the OR.

Is being a Surgical Technologist a good career in Washington?

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

Which Washington metros pay surgical technologists the most?

Among Washington metro areas, Seattle–Tacoma leads at $79,900, followed by Bellingham ($75,970), Tri-Cities ($75,000). 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 Washington?

Real Washington options include Bates Technical College, Bellevue College, Bellingham 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 Washington?

Washington projects surgical technologists employment to change +17.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 240 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), Washington statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2055. Licensing summary compiled from the No Washington 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 Washington wages · Washington 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.