How to Become a Surgical Technologist in St. Louis, Missouri: Salary, Jobs & Career Opportunities

Surgical technologists are part of the team that helps an operating room run safely and efficiently. Before a procedure begins, they prepare the room, arrange sterile instruments and supplies, and help ensure the surgical team has what it needs. During surgery, they work alongside surgeons, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to maintain the sterile field and anticipate the next step in the procedure.

For people in the St. Louis area who want a hands-on role in healthcare, surgical technology offers the opportunity to work directly in the operating room without completing a traditional four-year degree.

Below, explore what surgical technologists do, where they may work in Greater St. Louis, what they can earn, and how to prepare for certification and career opportunities in the region.

What Does a Surgical Technologist Do?

Surgical technologists, sometimes called surgical techs or operating room technicians, support surgical teams before, during, and after procedures. Their work centers on preparation, precision, patient safety, and infection control.

A surgical technologist's duties may include:

• Preparing operating rooms for scheduled procedures
• Setting up surgical instruments, equipment, supplies, and sterile solutions
• Checking that equipment is functioning properly before surgery
• Helping prepare patients for surgery, including positioning and draping
• Assisting the surgical team with sterile gowns and gloves
• Passing instruments and supplies to surgeons and surgical assistants
• Maintaining a sterile field throughout the procedure
• Performing instrument, sponge, and supply counts
• Handling specimens for laboratory analysis
• Restocking the operating room after surgery and preparing it for the next patient

Surgical technologists work closely with surgeons, registered nurses, anesthesiology professionals, and other members of the perioperative team. The role requires attention to detail, comfort working on your feet, and the ability to stay focused in a fast-moving environment. In St. Louis, surgical technologists may work in hospital operating rooms, outpatient surgery centers, specialty surgical practices, and other healthcare facilities where procedures are performed.

Surgical Technologist Job Outlook

Surgical technology is a healthcare career with projected growth at a faster-than-average rate nationwide.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of surgical technologists is projected to grow 5% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3% for all occupations. The BLS attributes demand in part to an aging population, an expected increase in surgical procedures, and continued growth in outpatient surgery settings.

SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST CAREER SNAPSHOT (ST. LOUIS, MO)

Sources: BLS occupational data and CitySalaryData May 2025 St. Louis metropolitan wage and employment estimates.

For prospective surgical technologists in the St. Louis area, that demand can translate into a range of possible work settings. While hospitals employ most surgical technologists nationally, outpatient care centers and physician offices are also important employers.

Surgical Technologist Employers in St. Louis

St. Louis is home to several large healthcare systems, along with specialty hospitals, outpatient centers, and surgery practices. As you begin researching potential employers, these organizations can be useful starting points.

BJC HealthCare

BJC HealthCare operates a broad network of hospitals and care facilities across Greater St. Louis, including Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis Children's Hospital, Missouri Baptist Medical Center, and Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital. Its facilities include operating rooms and specialty surgical services across the region.

Explore BJC careers

SSM Health

SSM Health operates hospitals, outpatient locations, and physician practices throughout the St. Louis area. Its regional network includes surgical and procedural settings where surgical technologists may support patient care teams.

Explore SSM Health careers

Mercy

Mercy has hospitals, surgery centers, clinics, and specialty care facilities across Greater St. Louis. Surgical services are delivered in a variety of settings across its network, from hospital-based operating rooms to outpatient locations.

Explore Mercy careers

When reviewing job listings, pay close attention to the required qualifications. Many surgical technologist positions call for formal training, clinical experience, Basic Life Support certification, and a national credential. Requirements can vary by employer, department, and specialty. In addition to major health systems, surgical technologists may find opportunities with ambulatory surgery centers, orthopedic and cardiovascular practices, women's health providers, and other specialty facilities across St. Louis County, St. Charles County, and nearby communities.

Note: These organizations are examples of regional healthcare employers, not guaranteed current openings or UMSL placement partners. Individual job availability and qualifications vary.

How Much Do Surgical Technologists Make in St. Louis?

Surgical technologist pay can vary based on experience, certification, shift, employer, specialty, and the type of facility where you work. Based on May 2025 BLS occupational wage data for the St. Louis, MO-IL metropolitan area, surgical technologists earned a median annual salary of approximately $61,790, or $29.71 per hour.

Source: May 2025 BLS OEWS estimates for the St. Louis, MO-IL metropolitan area. Figures reflect occupational earnings and are not guaranteed starting salaries.

Entry-level surgical technologists may earn less than the area's median, while those with experience, specialty knowledge, or evening, weekend, and on-call availability may have access to different compensation opportunities. Pay may also differ between hospital operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and physician offices.

How to Become a Surgical Technologist in St. Louis

Surgical technology is a hands-on field, so preparing for the work involves both career-focused instruction and practical clinical experience.

Here is a closer look at the typical path.

1. Learn What Employers Expect

Missouri does not generally require surgical technologists to hold a state-issued license. However, healthcare employers determine their own qualifications, and many prefer or require candidates to complete formal training and earn a nationally recognized certification.

Before choosing a program, review local job descriptions to see what employers are requesting. You may find requirements related to surgical technology education, clinical experience, certification, and Basic Life Support credentials.

2. Complete Career-Focused Training

Surgical technologist training introduces students to the knowledge and skills used in the operating room. Programs commonly cover anatomy, medical terminology, patient safety, sterile technique, surgical instruments, infection control, and operating room procedures.

For St. Louis-area learners who need flexibility, the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) online Surgical Technologist program offers a self-paced way to complete foundational coursework while preparing for a hands-on healthcare role.

The program includes:

• 100% online, self-paced coursework, with many students completing training in approximately 4-8 months
• Instruction in operating room fundamentals, sterile technique, infection control, anatomy, medical terminology, instrumentation, and OR setup
• Interactive virtual surgical simulations that allow students to practice surgical workflows and build familiarity with the operating room environment
• Preparation for the Tech in Surgery-Certified (TS-C) certification exam
• A TS-C certification exam voucher included with tuition
• Career coaching, resume guidance, interview preparation, and employment opportunity sourcing
• A required 300-hour externship experience, with support for eligible students in identifying potential sites

Students who complete the program receive a Certificate of Completion from UMSL.

3. Prepare for Certification

Earning a national credential can help demonstrate your preparation to employers and may be required for some surgical technologist positions.

One certification option is the Tech in Surgery-Certified (TS-C) credential offered by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). UMSL's Surgical Technologist program is NCCT-approved and prepares students for the TS-C exam. An exam voucher is included with tuition. Before scheduling an exam, be sure to review the certifying organization's current eligibility requirements.

4. Gain Hands-On Experience Through an Externship

Operating rooms are highly structured environments, and clinical experience is an important part of becoming ready for the field. An externship can help you apply concepts from your coursework in a healthcare setting while gaining exposure to surgical workflows, instruments, sterile procedures, and teamwork.

UMSL's Surgical Technologist program includes a required 300-hour externship. Eligible students receive support in identifying potential externship opportunities, although placement depends on factors such as eligibility, site availability, and location.

5. Begin Your Surgical Technologist Job Search

After completing training, your externship, and any required certifications, you can begin searching for positions in the St. Louis area.

In addition to searching for "surgical technologist," consider related job titles such as:

• Surgical Technician
• Operating Room Surgical Technologist
• Operating Room Technician
• Certified Surgical Technologist
• Surgical Services Technician
• Labor and Delivery Surgical Technologist
• Cardiovascular Operating Room Surgical Technologist

UMSL students also have access to career resources, including resume guidance, interview preparation, career coaching, and assistance identifying relevant job leads within the healthcare employer network when available.

Is Surgical Technology a Good Career Path?

Surgical technology may be a good fit if you want to work directly with a healthcare team, thrive in a structured setting, and are comfortable with a role that requires focus, physical stamina, and attention to detail. Unlike many administrative healthcare careers, surgical technologists spend much of their time on their feet in clinical environments. Hospital roles may include evening, weekend, holiday, or on-call schedules. It is also a career where maintaining safety standards and staying composed under pressure matter every day.

For the right person, the work can be a meaningful way to participate in patient care during critical moments. It can also provide a foundation for exploring future healthcare opportunities, though moving into other licensed or advanced roles may require additional education, training, or credentials.

Frequently Asked Questions About Surgical Technology in St. Louis

Do I need a degree to become a surgical technologist in Missouri?

A four-year degree is not generally required. Surgical technologists typically complete a certificate or associate degree program, and many employers look for formal training, clinical experience, and certification.

Does Missouri require surgical technologists to be licensed?

Missouri does not generally require a state-issued surgical technologist license. However, employers may set their own requirements for education, certification, and clinical experience.

How long does it take to become a surgical technologist?

The timeline depends on your training program, certification plans, and clinical requirements. UMSL's self-paced Surgical Technologist program can be completed by many students in approximately 4-8 months, followed by the required 300-hour externship experience.

Do I need certification to work as a surgical technologist?

Missouri does not generally require universal professional certification, but individual employers may require or prefer it. The TS-C is one nationally recognized credential that may help you demonstrate your preparation to prospective employers.

Can I complete surgical technologist training online?

Online coursework can provide flexibility for learning core surgical technology concepts. Because the role involves direct work in operating room settings, practical experience is also essential. UMSL combines self-paced online training with virtual surgical simulations and a required 300-hour externship.

Where do surgical technologists work in St. Louis?

Surgical technologists may work in hospital operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, specialty surgical practices, physician offices, and other healthcare facilities where procedures are performed. Major systems such as BJC HealthCare, SSM Health, and Mercy are useful places to begin researching opportunities.

Prepare for a Surgical Technologist Career in St. Louis

Surgical technologists help create the organized, sterile environment that surgical teams depend on. In a region with large hospital networks, specialty care providers, and outpatient surgery centers, St. Louis offers several settings to explore as you plan your next step.

If you are ready to build the foundational knowledge, practical experience, and certification preparation needed for this career path, the UMSL online Surgical Technologist program can help you move forward on a schedule that fits your life.