Online Surgical Tech Programs: An Inside Look
Find top online surgical tech programs, learn about online programs and courses, and get expert advice on this fast-growing field. Discover how you can begin a fulfilling career today.
A surgical tech career can be rewarding, but people who choose this path need to find the right degree program first. In order to help future professionals get the training they need, EduMed.org has created the Best in Class initiative, which spotlights the best online surgical tech programs available today. To create this list, we researched more than 7,700 regionally accredited schools from across the country to find the programs that provide the best education at the best value. Review and compare some of 2025’s best online surgical tech schools below.
Santa Fe College
Gainesville, Florida
Public
Madisonville Community College
Madisonville, Kentucky
Public
Houston Community College
Houston, Texas
Public
Mt Hood Community College
Gresham, Oregon
Public
Taking Surgical Tech Programs Online
Although other healthcare-related programs may allow students to complete their studies entirely online, those who enroll in online surgical tech programs must participate in clinical training on campus or in a medical facility. However, these programs do allow students to take most of their coursework online, which is convenient for those who are not able to travel to campus on a regular basis because they are working full-time jobs or handling other responsibilities. The following is information on how these programs work.
- How it works online
Online surgical tech programs allow students to complete part of the curriculum online, while the rest of the required training is provided at hospitals and on campus. Before they participate in hands-on training, students can take classes like anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, and surgical principles online. In some cases, programs are conducted in a synchronous manner, where students are expected to attend classes at a certain day and time, while asynchronous programs allow them to watch lectures at a time that is convenient for them.
- The benefits
Those who enroll in hybrid surgical tech programs get the quality education that students on campus receive while enjoying the flexibility that comes with distance learning. In addition, depending on the program, students may be able to complete their studies in a relatively short period of time, which allows them to begin their careers quickly. Also, the cost of these partially online surgical tech programs may be more affordable than other types of degrees because oftentimes students are charged by the credit hour, which can drastically cut down costs. All of these factors make partially online programs a good option for those who want to enter the surgical tech field.
- The reality
Although some classes that provide the theoretical framework for surgical tech programs can be taken online, people who are interested in these degrees should keep in mind that a large portion of the work will be done in person. This ensures that students are able to put the concepts they learned into practice, while also preparing for their certification exam and the realities of the job.
Types of Online Surgical Tech Programs
In order to become a surgical technologist, professionals need to earn a certificate, diploma, or associate’s degree from their online surgical tech program. In many states, people are not able to enter the field without an associate’s degree, but in other cases, prospective surgical techs are able to get a job with a certificate or diploma. The following describes these programs and what students can expect when they enroll.
Certificate/Diploma
Surgical technology certificate and diploma programs can generally be completed in about a year and a half. These fast-paced, intensive programs are designed to train students quickly on the fundamental information they need to know in order to get their professional credentials and land a job. As with associate’s degrees, people who enroll in these online surgical tech programs take courses to teach them about the patient care standards that are expected in the field, as well as hands-on training that shows them how these practices work in the real world. This is a good option for those who want to stay in school for a shorter period of time than they would in an associate’s degree program, which can ultimately save them money as well as time.
Associate
Like certificates and diplomas, online surgical tech programs at the associate level combine didactic training with clinical preparation in order to give students the skills they need to work on a surgical team. However, these programs are for people who want to spend more time in school in order to get an in-depth and well-rounded education. In addition to taking coursework in areas such as medical terminology, health care law and ethics, and surgical techniques, these two-year programs require students to complete general education classes that strengthen skills like writing and mathematics.
What to Ask Before You Apply
Every student has different criteria that they look for when considering online surgical tech programs. However, there are certain things that all students should look for no matter what their educational or career goals are. The following are some important qualities that surgical tech programs should have.
- Accreditation
In order for students to ensure that they’re getting the highest quality education, they should look for a surgical tech program that has been accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) or Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). This ensures that the program has the curriculum that will best prepare them to pass their certification exam, as well as knowledgeable instructors who can teach them the skills they need.
- Campus clinic
Since hands-on training is such an important element of a surgical tech program, students should get information about the clinic on campus and what technology the program has to offer. Access to state-of-the-art technology will help ensure that students are prepared for working in a real world hospital.
- High pass rates
One way for prospective surgical tech students to determine if a program is going to give them the training they are expected to have is by looking at the certification exam pass rates of former students. This is a clue of how effective the program is, so students should look for that information on the school’s website or ask the department for it.
Core Surgical Tech Courses Online
Surgical tech students acquire a myriad of skills throughout their programs, some of which can be acquired through online courses, while others are learned during the hands-on training portion of the program. The following are examples of courses students can taking online and the skills these classes are designed to teach.
Pharmacology: Students in this class learn about the different types of medications they will encounter as a surgical technologist, including diuretics, antibiotics, and anesthesia agents. In addition, the course teaches how medication calculations are made.
Medical Terminology: Medical terminology courses teach students how to recognize, define, and pronounce terms they are likely to encounter during their careers. Students may learn about the word roots, suffixes, and prefixes of medical terms in this class.
Surgical Specialties: This course teaches students about the different categories of surgical procedures they may provide assistance with. Topics may include orthopedic and vascular surgery.
Once students have completed their online classes, they go on to the hands-on training where they can complete the following coursework:
Sterile Processing: Surgical technologists should know how to clean, decontaminate, and sterilize surgical equipment, so students need to actually get practice in order to learn how to work up to the standards hospitals demand. In addition, this class teaches how these tools are classified and distributed.
Surgical Procedures: Students in this class get first-hand experience in surgical procedures. The class may cover how surgical technologists work in different settings, such as ophthalmic, cardiothoracic, and neurosurgery environments.
Operating Room Practice: This course is designed to teach students the practices that are common in an operating room setting. Topics may include how to pass instruments, change contaminated gloves, and communicate with members of the surgical team effectively.
Other courses that students may take in a surgical technology program include medical ethics, pathology, and surgical microbiology.
Funding Your Online Surgical Tech Program
Students can find several options to help them pay for online surgical tech schools. In some cases, students may take out loans in order to pay their tuition and fees. In addition, they may be able to win grants and scholarships to help defray the cost of their studies. For example, some professional organizations, like the Foundation for Surgical Technology, offer scholarships in order to support the field and ensure that highly-skilled people enter the workforce. Also, specific schools may offer scholarships to the students in their surgical technology degree programs.
For more details on how to pay for your surgical tech program or other health care related training, visit our comprehensive guide to financial aid.
Surgical Tech Scholarships
Scholarships are a great way for students to fund online surgical tech schools without worrying about having to pay the money back after graduation. The following are some scholarships that are provided specifically to surgical tech students.
Foundation for Surgical Technology
Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting
DeForest Kelley/Dr. Leonard McCoy Memorial Medical & Veterinarian Scholarship
To find even more scholarship opportunities and tips on how to win them, visit our scholarships and resources guide for surgical tech students.
Accreditation & Certification for Surgical Techs
In order to find a job in the field, professionals are required to earn a Certified Surgical Tech (CST) or Tech in Surgery-Certified (TS-C) credential. For the best opportunity to get the rigorous training needed to pass their licensing examinations, students should enroll in programs that have been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. This section provides a close look at the credentials graduates of online surgical tech schools are able to earn, as well as the organizations that provide accreditation for surgical tech programs.
Surgical Tech Salary & Career Advancements
If you are considering becoming a surgical technician, now is a great time to enroll in a training program. Why? Because the field has an above-average growth rate and offers healthy salaries. Nationwide, surgical technicians face a 5.5% growth rate, which is above the national average for all jobs. This means it should be easier to apply for roles and achieve promotions at work. Additionally, salaries range from $40,640 to $83,150, with certain states offering even higher pay. In Connecticut, for example, surgical technicians can earn over $100,000 annually. The same is true for California and Nevada. Other states combine healthy salaries with an even faster growth rate. Take New York, for example, where the field is growing by 27.3%, and surgical technicians can earn over $98,000 a year. Alongside geography, your experience and specialization in a specific area of surgery can also influence your ability to secure a job and determine your salary.
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 109,200 | 115,200 | 6,000 | 5.50% | 7,200 |
| Alabama | 2,360 | 2,480 | 120 | 5.10% | 160 |
| Alaska | 210 | 240 | 30 | 14.30% | 20 |
| Arizona | 2,420 | 2,990 | 570 | 23.60% | 220 |
| Arkansas | 1,420 | 1,540 | 120 | 8.50% | 100 |
| California | 11,100 | 12,400 | 1,300 | 11.70% | 830 |
| Colorado | 1,690 | 2,010 | 320 | 18.90% | 140 |
| Connecticut | 1,220 | 1,360 | 140 | 11.50% | 90 |
| Delaware | 400 | 460 | 60 | 15.00% | 30 |
| District of Columbia | 280 | 290 | 10 | 3.60% | 20 |
| Florida | 8,900 | 10,000 | 1,100 | 12.40% | 670 |
| Georgia | 3,320 | 3,850 | 530 | 16.00% | 270 |
| Idaho | 850 | 1,020 | 170 | 20.00% | 70 |
| Illinois | 3,690 | 3,810 | 120 | 3.30% | 230 |
| Indiana | 2,740 | 2,890 | 150 | 5.50% | 180 |
| Iowa | 880 | 950 | 70 | 8.00% | 60 |
| Kansas | 1,010 | 1,040 | 30 | 3.00% | 70 |
| Kentucky | 2,160 | 2,280 | 120 | 5.60% | 150 |
| Louisiana | 2,190 | 2,350 | 160 | 7.30% | 150 |
| Maine | 480 | 480 | – | 0.00% | 30 |
| Maryland | 2,130 | 2,290 | 160 | 7.50% | 150 |
| Massachusetts | 810 | 870 | 60 | 7.40% | 60 |
| Michigan | 4,060 | 4,150 | 90 | 2.20% | 250 |
| Minnesota | 1,620 | 1,700 | 80 | 4.90% | 110 |
| Mississippi | 1,180 | 1,240 | 60 | 5.10% | 80 |
| Missouri | 2,030 | 2,210 | 180 | 8.90% | 140 |
| Montana | 460 | 530 | 70 | 15.20% | 40 |
| Nebraska | 910 | 970 | 60 | 6.60% | 60 |
| Nevada | 1,040 | 1,220 | 180 | 17.30% | 90 |
| New Hampshire | 480 | 510 | 30 | 6.30% | 30 |
| New Jersey | 2,740 | 2,970 | 230 | 8.40% | 190 |
| New Mexico | 700 | 820 | 120 | 17.10% | 60 |
| New York | 6,200 | 7,890 | 1,690 | 27.30% | 170 |
| North Carolina | 3,370 | 3,960 | 590 | 17.50% | 280 |
| North Dakota | 320 | 360 | 40 | 12.50% | 20 |
| Ohio | 3,930 | 4,030 | 100 | 2.50% | 250 |
| Oklahoma | 2,310 | 2,390 | 80 | 3.50% | 150 |
| Oregon | 1,470 | 1,650 | 180 | 12.20% | 110 |
| Pennsylvania | 3,750 | 3,890 | 140 | 3.70% | 240 |
| Rhode Island | 190 | 190 | – | 0.00% | 10 |
| South Carolina | 2,180 | 2,310 | 130 | 6.00% | 150 |
| South Dakota | 520 | 610 | 90 | 17.30% | 40 |
| Tennessee | 1,920 | 2,110 | 190 | 9.90% | 140 |
| Texas | 9,200 | 10,620 | 1,420 | 15.40% | 730 |
| Utah | 1,230 | 1,580 | 350 | 28.50% | 120 |
| Vermont | 80 | 90 | 10 | 12.50% | 10 |
| Virginia | 1,840 | 1,900 | 60 | 3.30% | 120 |
| Washington | 2,250 | 2,580 | 330 | 14.70% | 210 |
| West Virginia | 600 | 600 | – | 0.00% | 40 |
| Wisconsin | 2,550 | 2,730 | 180 | 7.10% | 180 |
| Wyoming | 260 | 300 | 40 | 15.40% | 20 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $40,640 | $60,610 | $83,150 |
| Alabama | $30,500 | $45,730 | $62,960 |
| Alaska | $50,990 | $78,410 | $90,360 |
| Arizona | $43,740 | $64,920 | $82,690 |
| Arkansas | $35,490 | $49,430 | $65,190 |
| California | $40,450 | $78,400 | $103,660 |
| Colorado | $50,000 | $63,430 | $81,560 |
| Connecticut | $62,140 | $80,190 | $100,000 |
| Delaware | $50,240 | $61,090 | $74,890 |
| Florida | $38,340 | $56,670 | $74,930 |
| Georgia | $41,760 | $58,330 | $80,030 |
| Hawaii | $40,690 | $67,880 | $90,840 |
| Idaho | $46,800 | $61,680 | $74,970 |
| Illinois | $46,630 | $59,750 | $76,980 |
| Indiana | $44,810 | $58,480 | $72,390 |
| Iowa | $40,640 | $50,990 | $63,730 |
| Kansas | $38,890 | $51,020 | $70,830 |
| Kentucky | $38,160 | $51,660 | $64,000 |
| Louisiana | $37,770 | $50,560 | $64,850 |
| Maine | $46,970 | $58,800 | $74,660 |
| Maryland | $39,310 | $62,240 | $85,700 |
| Massachusetts | $45,060 | $67,840 | $93,690 |
| Michigan | $41,790 | $59,700 | $67,760 |
| Minnesota | $57,500 | $72,800 | $82,300 |
| Mississippi | $35,520 | $45,830 | $60,960 |
| Missouri | $45,160 | $57,730 | $76,370 |
| Montana | $46,610 | $58,030 | $75,970 |
| Nebraska | $47,210 | $59,630 | $73,830 |
| Nevada | $50,000 | $73,280 | $101,400 |
| New Hampshire | $48,390 | $65,780 | $79,720 |
| New Jersey | $45,740 | $69,580 | $90,490 |
| New Mexico | $39,260 | $49,080 | $70,020 |
| New York | $50,350 | $74,180 | $98,230 |
| North Carolina | $40,400 | $52,830 | $67,320 |
| North Dakota | $48,340 | $59,650 | $64,210 |
| Ohio | $40,650 | $58,930 | $69,790 |
| Oklahoma | $39,880 | $51,400 | $66,270 |
| Oregon | $51,320 | $75,550 | $89,020 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,500 | $56,940 | $78,860 |
| Rhode Island | $51,970 | $62,800 | $79,960 |
| South Carolina | $38,690 | $58,550 | $67,550 |
| South Dakota | $39,450 | $51,980 | $64,980 |
| Tennessee | $41,450 | $57,910 | $73,870 |
| Texas | $37,860 | $59,810 | $77,930 |
| Utah | $39,030 | $55,120 | $81,880 |
| Vermont | $42,720 | $54,820 | $77,970 |
| Virginia | $47,840 | $62,880 | $95,080 |
| Washington | $54,920 | $70,250 | $95,810 |
| West Virginia | $35,730 | $48,590 | $63,950 |
| Wisconsin | $51,670 | $64,150 | $79,530 |
| Wyoming | $38,600 | $54,200 | $77,690 |
Source: Surgical Technologists, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
