Surgical Technologist in Washington
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for WA
How to Become a Surgical Technologist in Washington
To become a Surgical Technologist in Washington, individuals must register with the Washington State Department of Health. While the state does not mandate specific education or national certification for registration, employers typically require graduation from a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited program and national certification, such as the NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam. The application process involves submitting an application, undergoing a background check, and paying a fee.
Surgical Technologist Requirements in Washington
| Detail | Washington |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Washington State Department of Health |
| State License Required | No |
| Education | Completion of an approved education program recognized by Washington State. While not mandated by the state for registration, national certification (CST through NBSTSA or TS-C through NCCT) is typically required by employers and the CST exam requires graduation from a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited program. |
| Exam | National certification (CST or TS-C) is typically required by employers, but not by the state for registration. The CST exam is administered by the NBSTSA. ($350) |
| Application Fee | $70 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Notes | Washington requires state registration for surgical technologists. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid government-issued identification. A clean background check is mandatory. Credentials expire on the credential holder's birthday. While not required for state registration, national certification (CST or TS-C) is typically required by employers. The CST exam requires graduation from a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited program. There are no continuing education requirements for state registration renewal. |
Surgical Technologist Salary in Washington
The median surgical technologist salary in Washington is $73,460 per year, which is 16.9% above the national median of $62,830.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $52,660 |
| 25th | $61,350 |
| 50th (median) | $73,460 |
| 75th | $83,260 |
| 90th (experienced) | $101,130 |
Washington employs approximately 2,380 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 Washington Worth It?
Factors to consider: Washington's cost of living, the lack of a state license requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.