A surgical technician is someone who helps a surgeon before, during and after an operation. They prepare the patient, sterilize the tools and operating room, and stand by the surgeon's side ensuring they have everything they need to be successful. If you like a challenge, can handle stress, love technology, and want to work in a field where you know you're making a difference, you may consider being a surgical technician.
While there are a number of surgical technician schools in California to choose from, the ones listed in this section have all been certified by CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs). The programs they offer are also diverse enough that you have options for how to complete your education.
Once you have graduated from one of the above surgical technologist schools in California, continue on and take the CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) exam provided by the NBSTSA (National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting). It's not a requirement, but it has become extremely commonplace in the industry and will bolster your resume.
The three main components included at all surgical tech schools in California are:
For some of these schools, lectures can be attended from the comfort of your own home thanks to online classes. However, every student must spend time in the lab learning how their tools work and what it takes to sterilize both the tools and the operating room. They must also learn how to prep the patient for various surgical procedures.
Along the same lines, students must see what surgery looks like firsthand in an operating room and even assist a surgeon before they can graduate.
You don't need a license to work as a surgical technician in California. This is why we recommend you take the CST exam. With so many schools in CA training technicians, this certification is a way of telling any employer that you are prepared for the role.
Here are some helpful resources to assist you on your path to becoming a surgical technician:
When it comes to the CST exam, your school should prepare you, but it's still a good idea to do some studying on your own, given its importance. Luckily, there are plenty of CST reference materials to help with that.
Listed below are metro areas ranked by the popularity of jobs for Surgical Technologists relative to the population of the city. Salary data was obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
Metro Area | Jobs | Annual Median Salary |
---|---|---|
Chico | 90 | $54,790 |
Visalia-Porterville | 70 | $54,440 |
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | 140 | $59,990 |
Redding | 50 | $66,520 |
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 920 | $57,510 |
Salinas | 60 | $74,280 |
San Diego-Carlsbad | 660 | $62,840 |
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | 560 | $69,750 |
Santa Rosa | 80 | $60,580 |
Vallejo-Fairfield | 140 | $69,160 |
Merced | N/A | $59,240 |
Fresno | 240 | $67,280 |
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade | 680 | $68,150 |
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward | 1170 | $72,790 |
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande | 140 | $47,100 |
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | 110 | $66,420 |
Stockton-Lodi | 160 | $61,570 |
Modesto | 180 | $60,670 |
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 3340 | $59,110 |
Bakersfield | 240 | $56,320 |
Sources: