Surgical Technologist in Alaska
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for AK
How to Become a Surgical Technologist in Alaska
To become a Surgical Technologist in Alaska, state licensure is not required. However, most employers mandate national certification, typically the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) or the Tech in Surgery-Certified (TS-C) credential from the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). Aspiring surgical technologists must complete an accredited surgical technology program, usually taking 9-24 months, and then pass the respective national certification exam.
Surgical Technologist Requirements in Alaska
| Detail | Alaska |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) or National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) |
| State License Required | No |
| Education | Graduation from a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited surgical technology program (for CST) or high school diploma/GED and completion of an NCCT-authorized surgical technology program or 3 years of experience (for TS-C) |
| Exam | CST Exam (NBSTSA) or TS-C Exam (NCCT) ($190) |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 30.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Alaska does not have state-level licensing or registration requirements for Surgical Technologists. However, most employers require national certification from either the NBSTSA (CST) or the NCCT (TS-C). The CST exam cost is $190 for AST members and $290 for non-members. The TS-C exam cost is $199. CST renewal requires 30 CE hours every 2 years and a $25 renewal fee. TS-C renewal requires 14 CE hours annually and a $77 renewal fee. |
Surgical Technologist Salary in Alaska
The median surgical technologist salary in Alaska is $79,040 per year, which is 25.8% above the national median of $62,830.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $52,850 |
| 25th | $61,880 |
| 50th (median) | $79,040 |
| 75th | $84,020 |
| 90th (experienced) | $99,270 |
Alaska employs approximately 290 surgical technologists.
Surgical Technologist Job Outlook
AI Impact on Surgical Technologists
Low AI Exposure (Score: -0.48/1.00)
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
Is Becoming a Surgical Technologist in Alaska Worth It?
Factors to consider: Alaska's cost of living, the lack of a state license requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.