Surgical Tech Jobs in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Surgical Tech Jobs

Pennsylvania is one of a small number of states with a mandatory credentialing law, requiring surgical technologists to complete an accredited program or obtain approved national certification before working in a Pennsylvania operating room, and with UPMC operating one of the largest hospital networks in the country from its Pittsburgh base, the state offers both regulatory accountability and genuine career depth.

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

Certification in Pennsylvania

State law requires accredited program completion or approved national certification. Hospitals verify compliance before surgical techs work in operating rooms. Limited exceptions exist for those trained on the job before the law took effect. CST certification through NBSTSA is the standard path. Candidates relocating from voluntary states need credentials confirmed before applying.

Where surgical techs work in Pennsylvania

UPMC is one of the largest health systems in the country, anchoring Pittsburgh and extending across western and central Pennsylvania with dozens of facilities. Penn Medicine and Jefferson Health divide the Philadelphia academic market between them. Geisinger Health System serves a broad rural and suburban swath of central and northeastern Pennsylvania. Allentown, Harrisburg, and Erie each support regional markets through their own independent systems.

Surgical tech salaries in Pennsylvania

BLS data shows a mean of $57,450 and a median of $56,780. Entry-level techs start around $40,950 with experienced surgical technologists reaching approximately $77,870 at the 90th percentile.

Becoming a surgical tech in Pennsylvania

CAAHEP and ABHES accredited programs run 12 to 24 months through community colleges statewide. Community College of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh and Community College of Philadelphia are primary accredited pathways with regional clinical placements.

Cost of living

Philadelphia carries higher housing costs than the rest of the state. Pittsburgh remains one of the most affordable large cities in the Northeast for its size and healthcare infrastructure. Central Pennsylvania and Erie offer the lowest costs while still providing access to Geisinger and regional system employment.

See who's hiring now in Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia, PA Surgical Tech Jobs | Pittsburgh, PA Surgical Tech Jobs | State Requirements | Salary Guide