Surgical Tech Jobs in Iowa

-

Iowa Surgical Tech Jobs

University of Iowa Health Care in Iowa City is one of the Midwest's premier academic medical centers and a consistent employer of surgical technologists, anchoring a state market where UnityPoint Health and MercyOne compete across multiple metro areas for credentialed OR staff.

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

Where surgical techs work in Iowa

Des Moines holds the highest job concentration, with UnityPoint Health and MercyOne both operating large facilities across the metro. University of Iowa Health Care in Iowa City runs the state's flagship academic surgical program and draws candidates seeking complex case exposure in a teaching environment. Cedar Rapids, Davenport, and Sioux City each support regional surgical tech markets through their own hospital networks. Ambulatory surgery centers are active throughout Des Moines and the Corridor region between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids.

Surgical tech salaries in Iowa

BLS data shows a mean of $56,770 and a median of $56,420 for surgical technologists in Iowa. The figures sit close together, indicating a relatively compressed wage range statewide. University of Iowa Health Care and large Des Moines system facilities tend to pay above the median, while smaller community hospitals and outpatient centers fall below it.

Certification in Iowa

Iowa has no mandatory licensure requirement for surgical techs. UnityPoint, MercyOne, and University of Iowa Health Care all expect CST certification as a practical standard. Some employers allow new hires to obtain certification shortly after starting, but credentialed candidates consistently have stronger positioning.

Becoming a surgical tech in Iowa

CAAHEP and ABHES accredited programs are available through community colleges statewide, running 9 to 24 months. Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids is one of the primary accredited pathways in the state, with clinical placements at regional hospital systems built into the program.

Cost of living

Iowa consistently ranks among the most affordable states in the country for housing and everyday expenses. A $56,000 mean wage in Des Moines or Cedar Rapids covers substantially more ground than the same figure in Colorado, California, or the Northeast, making Iowa one of the better states for purchasing power at this wage level.

Find your next opportunity in Iowa.

Jobs by Location | State Requirements | Salary Guide | Travel Surgical Technologist Jobs