Columbus runs a deep healthcare sector anchored by three large systems and a children's hospital, plus a growing base of outpatient surgery centers. The roles below are live scrub tech, OR tech, and CST openings across the metro.
Curated by Matthew Sorensen, a healthcare recruiter with 500+ OR and skilled-trades placements and 15+ years matching techs to the right operating rooms.
Hospitals Hiring in Columbus
Columbus OR hiring concentrates in three big systems plus Nationwide Children's, with a steady stream of ambulatory surgery center roles underneath them. In a market like this, the academic hospital tends to be the best entry point for a new grad, while the ASCs usually want at least some prior OR time before they'll bring you on.
OSU Wexner Medical Center
Academic medical center running high surgical volume across most specialties.
OhioHealth (Riverside Methodist, Grant Medical)
Large multi-hospital system staffing ORs at flagship sites across the metro.
Mount Carmel Health System
Multi-site system, including Mount Carmel East and Grove City, hiring techs across specialties.
Nationwide Children's Hospital
Pediatric specialty center; techs here work exclusively pediatric cases.
Ambulatory Surgery Centers
Outpatient facilities across Columbus hiring scrub techs and CSTs for same-day cases.
Surgical Tech Pay in Ohio
Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, surgical technologists in Ohio earn a median wage of about $51,510 a year, with a mean of $53,740. The range runs from roughly $38,090 at the 10th percentile to $69,720 at the 90th, which sits somewhat below the national median. Where you land depends on setting, specialty, and shift more than raw years, so run your own numbers with the salary estimator or the full salary guide.
Certification for Columbus Roles
Ohio doesn't require state licensure, but Columbus hospitals and surgery centers generally prefer accredited-program grads, and many hospital OR roles want the CST credential specifically. See the state requirements page for the current rules.
Columbus Surgical Tech FAQ
Do I need to be certified to work as a surgical tech in Columbus?
Ohio doesn't require it by law, but Columbus employers generally prefer accredited-program graduates, and many hospital OR positions specifically want the CST credential.
Which Columbus employers hire the most surgical techs?
The three big systems, OSU Wexner Medical Center, OhioHealth, and Mount Carmel, plus Nationwide Children's Hospital and a wide base of ambulatory surgery centers, do the bulk of OR hiring.
Can a new-grad surgical tech get hired in Columbus?
Yes. The academic and large hospital systems are generally the best entry point straight out of clinicals, while ASCs often want some prior OR time; see the new-grad hiring guide for how to position yourself.
