There is no doubt that the population of the United States is getting older and, with age, more medical care is required.
This is a contributing factor to the increase that is expected in the next 8 years in the number of jobs opening for surgical technicians.
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that the opportunities for finding a job will increase by 5%, which is higher than many other occupations.
Page Navigation
Licensing Requirements to Become a Surgical Technician in Illinois
A license is not required to work as a surgical technician in Illinois.
Registration is required for all surgical technicians through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
Illinois Central College
Illinois Central College is located in East Peoria, IL.
The Surgical Technology Program is full time and takes 24 months to complete.
The program is accredited by CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs).
Graduates will receive an Associate in Applied Science Degree.
The program takes 5 semesters and has a total of 60 credits.
The cost of the program is $9600 plus supplies and fees.
The class size averages 15 students.
Students should complete the Medical Terminology course and Anatomy and Physiology course before beginning the core classes.
Students will be qualified to sit for the NBSTSA (National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting) Exam for certification at the completion of the program.
Malcolm X City Colleges of Chicago
The Surgical Technician Program is accredited by CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs).
Malcolm X is the only one of the City Colleges of Chicago that offers the Surgical Technology Program.
Graduates will receive an Associate of Applied Science Degree.
Students spend 24–32 hours per week at an assigned clinical location.
The course is a total of 69 credit hours.
General education is 22 credits and core is 47.
The course takes 5 semesters to complete.
All applicants must be 18 years old and complete prerequisite courses with a minimum of a 2.5 GPA.
All applicants must undergo a criminal background check.
The cost of the program is $153 per-credit-hour for city residents, $403 per credit for out-of–district, and $506 for out-of state residents. .
College of DuPage
College of DuPage is a community college with a student population of over 20,000.
It is located in Glen Ellyn, IL.
Students considering applying for the Surgical Technology Program are advised to attend the Surgical Technology Advising Session or watch the video.
Prerequisite 26 credits of courses must be completed prior to admission.
Nine credits for the general education courses must be completed before graduation.
The Health Career Selective Enrollment Application must be completed.
A Residency Verification Form must be completed to prove residency.
Students must have gross and fine motor skills, have physical strength and endurance to be eligible for the course.
The Health and Science Center has clinical spaces and operating rooms for students to work in.
The estimated cost of the program is between $10,804 and $11, 412.
Elgin Community College
Elgin Community College was founded in 1949 and is located in the town of Elgin, IL.
The Surgical Technician Program is a combination of classroom, laboratory, and clinical experience in area hospitals.
The program lasts for four semesters and a total of 60 credits is needed.
Small class sizes are the norm for this program.
A minimum grade of C must be achieved on all courses.
The national exam will be taken approximately two weeks after graduation.
Students must have at least 120 surgeries in which they are in the role of first or second scrub. .
All clinical work must be documented and signed off on.
Attendance is vital to students’ success and only three absences are allowed in the second rotation.
The estimated cost of the program is $5467.00
RocKford Career College
Rockford Career College is located in Rockford, IL.
The Surgical Tech Program is an 18-month course that results in an Associate of Applied Science Degree.
The Program is accredited by ABHES (Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools).
Credits needed to complete the course are 102.
To enroll in the course, applicants must be a high school graduate or have a GED.
The Surgical Technician Course is a blend of professional instruction, hands-on training in the lab, and clinical work.
It is a hybrid program with about two hours spent outside of school for every one spent on campus.
General studies requirements are delivered online.
The core program is 67 credits.
The externship (clinical hours away from school) is 510 hours.
The cost of the Surgical Technician Program is $24,150.
Surgical Technician Schools in Illinois – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Illinois
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Illinois Central College | 1 College Dr, East Peoria, IL 61635, United States |
| Malcolm X City Colleges of Chicago | 1900 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60612, United States |
| College of DuPage | 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137, United States |
| Elgin Community College | 1700 Spartan Dr, Elgin, IL 60123, United States |
| RocKford Career College | 1130 S Alpine Rd #100, Rockford, IL 61108, United States |
Salary for surgical technicians in Illinois
The average salary for surgical technicians in Illinois is $55,000.
The salary range is from the low 40s to the high 60s, depending on not only location but experience.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Surgical Technologists in Illinois
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Chicago | $55,000 |
| Rockford | $51,200 |
| Aurora | $54,500 |
| Naperville | $54,100 |
| Peoria | $50,400 |
| Springfield | $50,900 |
| Joliet | $53,700 |
| Elgin | $54,100 |
| Waukegan | $52,100 |
| Cicero | $55,000 |
Regional Salary in Illinois
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IL | 60 | $53,100 | $25.53 | $61,880 | $39,880 |
| Carbondale-Marion, IL | 110 | $49,960 | $24.02 | $60,370 | $44,450 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | 110 | $53,360 | $25.66 | $60,940 | $40,830 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | 2,520 | $58,320 | $28.04 | $72,990 | $44,800 |
| Kankakee, IL | 30 | $49,190 | $23.65 | $60,370 | $39,830 |
| Peoria, IL | 240 | $49,700 | $23.9 | $59,190 | $37,740 |
| Rockford, IL | 150 | $55,350 | $26.61 | $75,920 | $45,170 |
| Springfield, IL | 130 | $51,210 | $24.62 | $60,420 | $38,470 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do surgical technicians need to be certified in Illinois?
Certification is not legally required, but many employers require it.
They must, however, work under the supervision of a physician.
Where in Illinois is the highest concentration of surgical technology employment?
Currently, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Elgin, IL offers the best opportunities.
Does registration as a surgical technician need to be renewed in Illinois?
The registration must be renewed every two years.
