Surgical Tech Jobs in Arkansas

Arkansas Surgical Tech Jobs

Arkansas has one of the lowest costs of living in the country, which means the BLS mean wage of $46,920 for surgical technologists here compares more favorably to higher-paying states than the raw number suggests.

Browse live scrub tech and OR technician openings across Arkansas below.

Where surgical techs work in Arkansas

Baptist Health is the largest system in the state, with facilities anchored in Little Rock and extending across central Arkansas. CHI St. Vincent, Arkansas Children's Hospital, and Mercy Health round out the major employers. Little Rock holds the highest concentration of surgical tech jobs, with secondary markets in Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Springdale, and Jonesboro. Ambulatory surgery centers are active throughout the state, particularly in the northwest Arkansas corridor around Fayetteville and Springdale, which has seen significant healthcare infrastructure growth.

Surgical tech salaries in Arkansas

BLS data shows a mean annual wage of $46,920 and a median of $46,060 for surgical technologists in Arkansas. Large hospital systems and specialized surgical departments tend to pay above the median, while smaller facilities and outpatient centers typically fall below it.

Certification in Arkansas

Arkansas has no mandatory licensure requirement for surgical techs. Baptist Health, CHI St. Vincent, and most regional systems strongly prefer candidates with CST certification and an accredited program background. Certification isn't required by law but it's the practical standard for competitive applicants.

Becoming a surgical tech in Arkansas

CAAHEP and ABHES accredited programs are available through community colleges and technical institutes statewide, typically running 12 to 24 months with clinical rotations in actual operating rooms. Graduates are eligible to sit for the CST exam upon completion.

Cost of living

Housing and everyday expenses in Arkansas run well below the national average. In Little Rock and Fayetteville especially, a surgical tech salary covers significantly more ground than the same wage would in most other healthcare markets.

See who's hiring surgical techs across Arkansas now.

View the latest openings in Arkansas.

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