In Wisconsin in 2020, 25% of the population was over 60 years old.
That is good news for those who are thinking about entering the career of surgical technologists.
With a higher than average number of people over 60, the opportunities for finding a job are also high.
The number of jobs is estimated to increase by 5% according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the likelihood that it will be even higher in Wisconsin is pretty good.
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Licensing Requirements to Become a Surgical Technician in Wisconsin
Licensing is not required for Surgical Technicians at this time in Wisconsin.
Northeast WI Technical College
The estimated cost of the Surgical Technology Program is $10,893.55 for Wisconsin state residents.
Residents of Minnesota are considered residents for purposes of tuition.
Some Michigan residents will only pay a $5 additional per credit.
Other out-of-state students pay an additional $72.70 per credit.
The Surgical Technology Program is offered at the Green Bay campus.
To apply, you must have a high school diploma or GED.
CPR certification is mandated.
Students must be able to push or pull 50 pounds.
You must undergo a background check, drug testing, and functional ability inventory.
This is a full-time program combining classroom time, lab skills practice, and hands-on clinical experience at local healthcare facilities.
This program requires one summer semester.
The students in the program earn 61 credits.
Students must earn a grade of C or higher.
The Surgical Technology program is accredited by the CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs).
Taking the Surgical Technology National Certification Exam is a requirement for graduates of the program.
Graduates of the program earn an Associate Degree.
Chippewa Valley Technical College
Chippewa Valley Technical College is part of the Wisconsin Technical College System and serves 11 counties.
The Surgical Technology Program is held at the campus in Eau Claire, WI.
The program is a two-year program requiring 61 credits to graduate.
Graduates will have an Associate Degree in Surgical Technology.
The Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.
The program is held in person and is a combination of classroom and clinical work.
Graduates will take the national Surgical Technologist Certification examination.
The program begins in June.
The estimated cost of the Surgical Technology Program is $11,269.
Madison Area Technical College
The Surgical Technology Program is a two-year program.
It is a hybrid, some in person and some online.
Graduates will earn an Associate Degree.
61 credits must be completed.
The estimated cost for the program is $10,814.40.
Financial aid is available.
Those accepted into the program must provide current immunization records, undergo a background check and have a CPR certificate.
All students in the program are required to take a urine blood test.
Those desiring to enter the program must go through the petition process.
Classes are offered at both the Madison and Truax campuses.
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Students completing the Surgical Technology Program will earn an Associate Degree.
The program takes two years to complete.
Total credits for the course are 65.
The program begins in January and in August.
Entrance to the program is through petition.
Prerequisite courses must be completed, GPA must be 2.5 or higher and TEAS Exam score must be 60 or higher.
At the completion of the program, students are eligible to take the national certification exam.
Classes take place at the downtown Milwaukee campus.
Those in the program must undergo a background check, drug testing, have updated vaccinations and be CPR certified.
Part of the program is clinical work at healthcare locations off campus.
Clinical work may take place during the day, evening, on weekends or holidays.
Clinical locations may be up to 60 miles away from Milwaukee.
Cost of the program is estimated at $10.303 plus books, fees, and uniforms.
Gateway Technical College
The Gateway Technical College Surgical Technology Course is held at the Kenosha Campus.
Graduates earn an Associate Degree.
The total number of credits in the program is 66.
The cost of the program is
- Tuition & Fees: $11,720
- Books & Supplies: $5,042.
The surgical technology program begins in the summer semester.
Credits toward the program may be earned in high school, through previous college work and through military experience.
Students are chosen for the program through a petitioning process.
Students must complete a total of 120 surgical procedures per ARC/STSA (Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology) requirements.
Students must take the role of first scrub for 80 surgeries and second scrub for 40.
Students must complete the Certified Surgical Technologist exam upon completion of the program.
Surgical Technician Schools in Wisconsin – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Wisconsin
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Northeast WI Technical College | 2740 W Mason St, Green Bay, WI 54307, United States |
| Chippewa Valley Technical College | 2320 Alpine Rd, Eau Claire, WI 54703, United States |
| Madison Area Technical College | 1701 Wright St, Madison, WI 53704, United States |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College | 700 W State St, Milwaukee, WI 53233, United States |
| Gateway Technical College | 1001 S, Main St, Racine, WI 53403, United States |
Salary for Surgical Technicians in Wisconsin
The average salary for surgical technicians in Wisconsin is $51,000 with lows of $42,000 and highs above $62,000.
Location and experience will determine whether the salary is at the high end or the low end.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Surgical Technologists in Wisconsin
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Milwaukee | $52,100 |
| Madison | $51,600 |
| Green Bay | $50,000 |
| Kenosha | $51,100 |
| Racine | $51,100 |
| Appleton | $50,800 |
| Waukesha | $51,900 |
| Oshkosh | $50,400 |
| Eau Claire | $50,500 |
| La Crosse | $49,300 |
Regional Salary in Wisconsin
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton, WI | 100 | $56,590 | $27.21 | $65,490 | $43,830 |
| Eau Claire, WI | 130 | $59,480 | $28.6 | $73,540 | $47,120 |
| Green Bay, WI | 240 | $57,390 | $27.59 | $68,650 | $48,820 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | 60 | $59,720 | $28.71 | $73,490 | $48,080 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | 130 | $63,510 | $30.54 | $88,330 | $45,490 |
| Madison, WI | 330 | $63,100 | $30.34 | $76,870 | $51,260 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI | 850 | $62,340 | $29.97 | $80,340 | $50,360 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | 70 | $59,100 | $28.41 | $78,090 | $46,820 |
| Wausau, WI | 110 | $59,310 | $28.52 | $79,120 | $49,040 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Wisconsin require surgical technicians to get certified?
No, the state of Wisconsin doesn’t mandate certification, but many employers do require that surgical technicians are certified.
How many hospitals are there in Wisconsin?
There are 132 hospitals in Wisconsin, of which 1 is a federal hospital, 9 are for profit and 122 are non-profit.
Where are the most surgical technology jobs in Wisconsin?
Wausau is the city that at the moment has the most potential for employment in the field.
