If you’re looking for surgical tech jobs in Washington, this page helps you quickly find current openings while understanding the requirements and pay across the state. You’ll also see how certification works and where surgical technologists most often work.
Below you’ll find the latest scrub tech and operating room technician job listings in Washington.
Washington requires surgical technologists to be registered with the Washington State Department of Health to work in the field. Most candidates qualify by completing an accredited surgical technology program and applying for state registration.
While the state registration itself is required, many employers strongly prefer candidates who also hold the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. Maintaining continuing education is common for certified surgical technologists working in hospital operating rooms.
For job seekers, this means completing an accredited program and applying for state registration before beginning work as a scrub tech or OR tech.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage for surgical technologists in Washington is $73,960, while the median annual wage is $72,050.
Compensation varies widely depending on experience, certification status, and work setting. Surgical technologists working in large hospital systems or specialized surgical services—such as orthopedic, cardiovascular, or neurosurgery—often earn higher wages. Urban areas with major medical centers tend to offer the strongest pay.
Surgical technologists in Washington work in hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, and specialty surgical facilities. Major employers include UW Medicine in Seattle, Providence health facilities across the state, MultiCare Health System in the Tacoma region, Swedish Medical Center, and Kaiser Permanente Washington.
The largest concentration of surgical tech jobs is found in the Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue metro area, followed by Spokane, Everett, Tacoma, and Vancouver.
Most scrub techs begin by completing a surgical technology program accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES. Programs typically take between 12 and 24 months and include classroom instruction along with clinical experience in the operating room.
After graduating, candidates apply for Washington state registration and may pursue the CST credential, which many hospitals prefer when hiring surgical technologists.
Washington salaries for surgical technologists are among the higher in the country, but the cost of living varies significantly by region. Housing and daily expenses are highest in the Seattle metro area, while cities like Spokane, Yakima, and Tri-Cities tend to be more affordable.
Check current listings in Washington.