Surgical Technologist in Louisiana
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for LA
How to Become a Surgical Technologist in Louisiana
To become a Surgical Technologist in Louisiana, a state license is not required. However, most employers expect candidates to hold a national certification, such as the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). This typically involves completing a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited surgical technology program and passing the NBSTSA CST exam. While there is no state licensing body, applicants for national certification must generally be at least 18 years old and pass a background check.
Surgical Technologist Requirements in Louisiana
| Detail | Louisiana |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners |
| State License Required | No |
| Education | Completion of a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited surgical technology program. |
| Exam | NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Exam ($350) |
| Application Fee | $100 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Notes | Louisiana does not require a state license for surgical technologists; however, employers typically require national certification such as the NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential. Applicants for national certification must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid government-issued identification. A clean background check is mandatory. |
Surgical Technologist Salary in Louisiana
The median surgical technologist salary in Louisiana is $51,930 per year, which is 17.3% below the national median of $62,830.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $35,260 |
| 25th | $46,750 |
| 50th (median) | $51,930 |
| 75th | $61,560 |
| 90th (experienced) | $65,570 |
Louisiana employs approximately 2,040 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 Louisiana Worth It?
Factors to consider: Louisiana's cost of living, the lack of a state license requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.