New Jersey has a strong healthcare job market for surgical technologists, with opportunities across major hospital systems and outpatient surgery centers. This page highlights surgical tech jobs in New Jersey, including certification requirements, salary data, and where scrub techs and OR techs commonly work.
Below you’ll find the latest surgical technologist job listings across New Jersey.
New Jersey does require surgical technologists to meet specific training standards to work in operating rooms. State law requires surgical technologists to graduate from an accredited surgical technology program or complete appropriate military surgical training.
Most employers also expect surgical techs to obtain or maintain the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. While certification itself is not always the legal requirement, accredited training and professional credentialing are typically necessary to work in hospitals and surgical facilities across the state.
Facilities must ensure that surgical technologists meet the state’s education and competency standards before performing surgical technology duties.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage for surgical technologists in New Jersey is $77,240, with a median annual wage of $75,710. Entry-level surgical techs earn about $57,530 at the 10th percentile, while experienced professionals can earn roughly $100,740 at the 90th percentile.
Pay varies based on experience, certification status, and workplace setting. Surgical technologists working in large academic medical centers or specialized surgical departments often earn higher wages than those in smaller outpatient facilities.
Surgical technologist jobs in New Jersey are concentrated in densely populated healthcare markets such as Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Trenton, and Camden, as well as throughout the northern New Jersey hospital corridor.
Major healthcare employers include:
These systems operate large hospitals, teaching facilities, and ambulatory surgery centers that regularly hire scrub techs, operating room technicians, and certified surgical technologists.
Most surgical technologists in New Jersey complete a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited surgical technology program, typically lasting 12 to 24 months. Programs include classroom instruction along with clinical training in hospital operating rooms.
After graduating, many candidates pursue the CST certification exam through the NBSTSA, which is commonly expected by hospitals and surgical centers across the state.
New Jersey has one of the higher costs of living in the U.S., particularly in northern counties within commuting distance of New York City. However, surgical technologist salaries are also among the higher in the country, especially within large hospital systems and academic medical centers.
View the latest openings in New Jersey.