Travel Surgical Tech Jobs

The salary of a surgical technologist varies significantly depending on the experience of the surgical technologist as well as the experience, certifications, and location they are working in. The median salary for a registered nurse was $49,710 per year or $23.90 per hour in 2020 with most earning between $41,010 and $60,980 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Entry-level surgical technologist jobs or those with the lowest 10% salary earned around $34,120, while the highest 10% earned more than $73,110. Typically, Typically, travel surgical tech jobs will pay higher hourly and weekly pay than permanent positions in the same location.

Alaska pays the highest average salary to Surgical Technologists according to the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) with an average annual wage of $67,120 and an hourly wage of $32.27. Alaska is followed by Nevada ($67,000 per year, $32.21 per hour), California ($64,570 per year, $31.04 per hour), Connecticut ($62,310 per year, $29.96 per hour), and the District of Columbia ($61,620 per year, $29.63 per hour).

Seeking the highest-paying contract does not always mean that you should take travel surgical tech jobs with the highest weekly pay. Factoring in the cost of living of each state can often give a better indication of what a traveling surgical tech can expect to earn from an assignment. When comparing the cost-of-living adjusted average surgical tech salary, Nevada would be the highest paying state followed by Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Colorado. Nevada pays the second highest salary of any state to Surgical Technologists even while having the 16th highest cost of living.

Also known as Surgical Tech or OR Tech, they set the stage before an operation in the operation room. They prepare the sterile supplies and check all equipment to make sure it is in proper working order. The surgical tech passes instruments to the physician during surgery as well as sponges and sutures. A good surgical technologist anticipates a surgeon’s needs. After surgery, they often help dress the patient’s wounds, count sponges and instruments to make sure they are all accounted for, and prep the OR for the next patient.

Education & License Requirements

Most surgical technologist schools pursue associates degrees offered by National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) certified schools. It is crucial for graduates to make sure they attend a NBSTSA certified program, as most states required surgical techs require surgical techs to be certified through their program. While some schools offer bachelor’s of science degrees in health sciences with a surgical specialty, most students opt for the shorter programs.

The CST certification is not required by all facilities. A Certified Surgical Technologist examination (CST-ERC) can be offered through either the NBSTSA (National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting) or the NCCT (National Center for Competency Testing). The NBSTSA is always accepted by hospitals, but the NCCT is only accepted by some. Some states now mandate CST requirements. Consult the NBSTSA website to learn more about specific states’ requirements.

Explore Travel Surgical Tech Job Opportunities

Finding a desirable travel assignment shouldn’t be a full-time job. Marketplace gives travel RNs the autonomy to secure their next healthcare placement in only a few clicks with less paperwork. With a professional traveler profile, Marketplace helps healthcare travelers find their next job that aligns with their top career priorities. With complete transparency into each job including benefits, pay packages, staffing agencies, and recruiters, Marketplace makes the unknown known for travel nurses across the country.

Many travel surgical techs find work through recruitment agencies and marketplaces, which means you have better access to job boards to choose your schedule, location, and salary. When you begin browsing assignments, be sure to consider the housing options, the benefits, the guaranteed hours' policy, and the recruiting company’s overall reputation.

The good news is that Marketplace has everything you need when it comes to finding the perfect travel surgical technologist jobs. Here, you have the freedom to compare benefits, packages, and staffing agencies—all in one place. So find your next job today.