Community colleges in Texas offer flexible choices in the study of surgical technicians.
In-class and hybrid courses at schools are one example.
Discover the state requirements for becoming a surgical technician and examples of classroom study.
We have listed some of the students’ favorite colleges and other valuable information.
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Licensing Requirements in Texas
- Find an accredited school that offers a surgical technician certificate. Community colleges, vocational schools, and universities offer these programs.
- A typical program lasts 1 1/2–2 years. The Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam can then be taken.
- Anatomy, medical terminology, and surgical procedures are normal prerequisite studies.
- The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) needs renewal once every 4 years.
Surgical Tech Schools in Texas
Houston Community College, Houston, Texas
The surgical technology program addresses all the challenges of this career position.
In the hybrid program, 50-85% of the coursework can be online.
However, there will be some onsite requirements because of the necessary lab sessions, examinations, and operating room procedures.
Before admission, each candidate must meet essential functions such as excellent motor skills, being able to stand for hours, proficient in English, and having good auditory and eyesight abilities.
The first year is a prerequisite of 12 semester hours.
A two-year course follows with the required semester hours.
The total cost for an Associate of Applied Science Certificate Level 1 Award with 6 completed semesters is $9,600.
Texas State Technical College, Harlingen, Texas
There are requirements that must be met in order to get accepted into the Surgical Technology Program.
A few of these include being able to complete and pass a TSI assessment test and having a minimum of 2.0 average grade.
Further, a completed semester of the Surgical Technology degree plan is mandatory.
Upon acceptance, each student is assigned an enrollment coach who will be available for any problems or questions you may have.
Having a personal advisor to guide and coach in understanding and completing courses has been found to be an asset in obtaining career goals.
There are financial aid packages, grants, and scholarships to help with payments.
Over 68% of TSTC students have received some type of financial aid.
The cost of completing all courses and becoming certified as a surgical tech is around $13,920.
San Jacinto Community College, Pasadena, Texas
This public community college serves the greater Houston area with campuses in Houston and Pasadena.
A combined classroom and clinical study train students for surgical procedures as designated by OSHA.
The course of Surgical Technology, Associate of Applied Science prepares you for certification under the National Board of Surgical Technologists and Surgical Assistants.
Prerequisites to the program include:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Essentials of Medical Terminology
- Introduction to Health Professions
- English Composition I
A total of 3 terms with 60 total credits are required to complete this area of study.
Students must attend full-time to finish in 1 1/2 years.
A mandatory information session is required to attend to be considered for enrollment.
Financial aid is available with 50% of students taking advantage of this option.
The cost per year is $4,146. An 18-month course runs approximately $6,200.
McLennan Community College, Waco, Texas
This college is known for being affordable, offering free resources, and having great campus activities.
A variety of courses taken in-person, online, day, or night makes it a flexible option for working individuals.
The associate degree program in surgical technology has strict guidelines for gaining the most beneficial knowledge in clinical experience for taking on that first tech job.
Upon graduation and passing the national certification examination, you will be a Certified Surgical Technologist.
16 other courses are available for the continuation of your skills.
30 hours is the required amount to achieve your goals.
The cost is approximately $14,300 per year with options of financial aid or easy payment plans.
Cisco College, Cisco, Texas
A highly-rated school, and past students rave about the helpful faculty.
The college is small and rated above average by the U.S. Department of Education.
It is stressed to prospective students that being in a good physical and mental state is recommended for this program.
The Cisco College Surgical Technology Program is a 4-semester associate of an applied science degree program.
There are no prerequisites required for this degree.
A full-time commitment is expected in a normal class size of 12.
$15,647 is the average total cost for this 2-year program with financial aid available.
82% of students apply and are accepted for some type of financial aid.
Surgical Technician Schools in Texas – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Texas
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Houston Community College | 1300 Holman St, Houston, TX 77004, United States |
| Texas State Technical College | 119 N Lowrance Rd, Red Oak, TX 75154, United States |
| San Jacinto Community College | 8060 Spencer Hwy, Pasadena, TX 77505, United States |
| McLennan Community College | 1400 College Dr, Waco, TX 76708, United States |
| Cisco College | 101 College Heights, Cisco, TX 76437, United States |
Salary
The average yearly salary for a surgical technician in Texas is $52,300.
This amount can fluctuate according to the area and the need of a certified surgical technician.
Demand is currently high in many areas of Texas.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Surgical Technologists in Texas
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Houston | $52,500 |
| Dallas | $51,600 |
| San Antonio | $49,500 |
| Austin | $51,800 |
| El Paso | $45,600 |
| Fort Worth | $51,000 |
| Arlington | $50,900 |
| Corpus Christi | $49,100 |
| Plano | $51,600 |
| Garland | $51,600 |
Regional Salary in Texas
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene, TX | ** | $48,210 | $23.18 | $63,030 | $29,780 |
| Amarillo, TX | 140 | $52,320 | $25.16 | $66,330 | $39,590 |
| Austin-Round Rock, TX | 630 | $64,600 | $31.06 | $78,790 | $46,360 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | 120 | $56,160 | $27 | $72,540 | $48,240 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 170 | $55,740 | $26.8 | $73,750 | $37,110 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 2,660 | $64,870 | $31.19 | $81,360 | $40,740 |
| El Paso, TX | 240 | $55,670 | $26.77 | $64,840 | $39,680 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | 2,280 | $63,290 | $30.43 | $78,580 | $47,420 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | 170 | $57,630 | $27.71 | $74,510 | $37,300 |
| Longview, TX | 100 | $63,360 | $30.46 | $78,830 | $37,580 |
| Lubbock, TX | 160 | $55,280 | $26.58 | $74,750 | $46,000 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | 190 | $55,320 | $26.6 | $66,350 | $43,160 |
| Midland, TX | 30 | $59,920 | $28.81 | $75,680 | $48,430 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 1,140 | $51,070 | $24.55 | $73,130 | $37,860 |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | 40 | $60,520 | $29.1 | $68,520 | $46,530 |
| Victoria, TX | 40 | $60,950 | $29.3 | $71,760 | $48,790 |
| Waco, TX | 100 | $59,830 | $28.76 | $68,280 | $49,020 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any schools that provide online classes and training to become a surgical tech?
Unfortunately, because of the sensitive nature of this medical field, at least 15% of online studies consist of clinical and hands-on practice for different procedures.
Do you have to be certified to practice in the state of Texas?
Some states do not require certification to gain employment as a surgical technician.
Texas requires this certificate.
Why do some schools require a prerequisite entry course?
A prerequisite will satisfy any question of the student’s knowledge of the course.
