Surgical Technologist Jobs in Austin, TX
Surgical technologists in Austin earn a metro median near $35.48 an hour, about $4 above the Texas median, scrubbing in at hospital operating rooms from Dell Children's to St. David's Georgetown and at outpatient surgery centers. Here are the current openings, followed by who hires, what it pays, and how to get certified.
Current surgical technologist Openings in Austin, TX
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Surgical Technologist Work in Austin
Operating room work in Austin follows the three big hospital systems and a ring of outpatient surgery centers. St. David's HealthCare hires certified surgical technologists for St. David's Medical Center in central Austin and for labor and delivery at St. David's Georgetown Hospital. Ascension Seton staffs pediatric operating rooms at Dell Children's Medical Center in Mueller, and Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Round Rock on University Blvd runs surgical services on 12-hour day shifts.
Outpatient centers such as Hyde Park Surgery Center in central Austin add full-time outpatient work, and per diem shifts are common across the metro for techs who want extra hours. Texas law requires hospitals and surgery centers to employ certified techs, and the ACC program at Eastview and Round Rock is the local route in, sending its students through clinical rotations in operating rooms across Greater Austin before they graduate.
Top Austin Employers for Surgical Technologists
These Austin-area hospitals and surgery centers hire surgical technologists:
- St. David's HealthCare - the HCA system hires certified surgical technologists for St. David's Medical Center and St. David's Georgetown Hospital, including labor and delivery.
- Ascension Seton - the health system hires surgical techs, including an orthopedic lead in the pediatric operating room at Dell Children's Medical Center.
- Baylor Scott & White Health - the health system hires surgical techs for Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Round Rock on three 12-hour day shifts.
- Hyde Park Surgery Center - the United Surgical Partners outpatient center hires full-time surgical technologists in central Austin.
- Legent Health - has posted per diem certified surgical tech work in Austin at $35 to $40 an hour.
Surgical Technologist Salaries in Austin
- Entry level: about $23 to $29 an hour for new graduates and recently certified techs.
- Experienced: roughly $30 to $39 an hour with a few years across surgical specialties.
- Senior and specialty: $40 to $46 an hour for leads and techs in cardiovascular, orthopedic or per diem roles.
These are estimates based on 2025 federal wage data for the Austin metro, where the median is $35.48 an hour against $31.35 statewide. Pay moves with certification, specialty (cardiovascular and orthopedic cases pay more), call pay and shift work at hospitals, and per diem rates, which run higher than staff pay but carry no benefits.
How to Become a Surgical Technologist in Austin
Texas does not issue a state license for surgical technologists, but Chapter 259 of the Texas Health and Safety Code bars state-licensed hospitals and surgery centers from employing someone in the role unless they finished an accredited program and hold certification from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (the CST) or the National Center for Competency Testing, with exceptions for military training. New graduates have 180 days to get certified. Austin Community College's CAAHEP-accredited Surgical Technology program offers an AAS or a certificate, runs about one year of full-time coursework after prerequisites, and admits 12 students a semester at each of its Eastview and Round Rock campuses, with clinicals at hospitals across Greater Austin.
What the Job Involves
Surgical technologists set up the operating room, sterilize and arrange instruments, and scrub in to pass instruments, sutures and supplies to the surgeon during the case. The work includes counting sponges and sharps before and after surgery, keeping the sterile field intact, anticipating the surgeon's next move, and breaking down and sending instruments to sterile processing. Hospital techs also take call for emergency and trauma cases.
Skills Employers Look For
- CST from NBSTSA or TS-C from NCCT
- BLS certification, with ACLS a plus at hospitals
- Strong aseptic technique
- Instrument knowledge across general, orthopedic and OB cases
- Focus and stamina for long cases on your feet
- Clear teamwork with surgeons, nurses and anesthesia
- Willingness to take call or work PRN shifts
Career Path and Advancement
Most Austin techs start in a hospital operating room after ACC clinicals, often at the same systems where they trained. From there the path runs to specialty teams such as cardiovascular, orthopedic, labor and delivery or pediatric surgery, then to lead tech, and on to surgical first assistant with added training and the NBSTSA surgical assistant credential. Others move into sterile processing leadership or outpatient surgery center management.
Related Careers in Austin
If operating room work interests you, these related Austin roles are close matches:
- Radiologic Technologist Jobs
- Registered Nurse Jobs
- Certified Nursing Assistant Jobs
- Medical Laboratory Technician Jobs
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a license to be a surgical technologist in Texas?
There is no state license, but there is a legal certification rule. Under Chapter 259 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, licensed hospitals and surgery centers may employ only techs who completed an accredited program and hold NBSTSA or NCCT certification, with limited exceptions such as military training.
How much do surgical technologists make in Austin?
New techs generally start around $23 to $29 an hour, and experienced techs earn about $30 to $39. Federal 2025 data puts the Austin metro median at $35.48 an hour, and per diem postings in Austin have offered $35 to $40.
How long does surgical tech school take at ACC?
After six prerequisite courses, ACC's program runs three full-time semesters, about one year, and ends in an AAS or a certificate. Clinicals total 748 contact hours and at least 120 surgical procedures at sites across Greater Austin.
Can I work as a surgical tech before I am certified?
Yes, for a short time. Texas law lets a hospital or surgery center employ a new graduate for up to 180 days after graduation, after which the tech must show current certification to keep working in the role.
Do Austin surgical techs work nights and weekends?
Hospital techs usually work set shifts and rotate call for emergency cases, nights and weekends included. Outpatient surgery centers generally schedule cases during the day, which makes them popular with techs who want a predictable schedule.
Ready to apply? Browse all Surgical Technologist jobs in Austin, TX on LocalJobPage and apply today.