Travel Surgical Technician Salary Guide
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Surgical technicians, also called surgical techs, play an essential role in keeping patients safe during surgical procedures. Before a procedure begins, the surgical tech typically verifies that the operating room (OR) is clean, then brings the patient from the holding area into the OR. As the procedure progresses, the surgical tech is responsible for maintaining a sterile environment and ensuring that surgeons and other personnel have the right equipment and supplies. Surgical techs are also responsible for sterilizing equipment, putting patients at ease and setting up monitors and different types of OR equipment.
How do you become a surgical tech?
After earning your high school diploma or GED, the first step to becoming a surgical tech is to complete a postsecondary surgical technology program at a community college or vocational school to obtain a certificate or associate degree. Surgical technology programs typically include anatomy, physiology, patient care, medical terminology and biomedical ethics coursework. You may also have the opportunity to complete an internship or clinical experience, ensuring you feel confident in your skills before you apply for your first surgical tech job.
What credentials/licensing does a surgical tech require?
Most employers require their surgical techs to have the Basic Life Support certification offered by the American Heart Association. If they become certified as a surgical technologist, Certified Surgical Technologists must be licensed in Arkansas and obtain the Certified Surgical Technologist credential from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) in the following states:
Idaho
Indiana
Massachusetts
Nevada
New Jersey
Oregon
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
If you live in New York, you must get certified by a nationally accredited organization. The NBSTSA credential satisfies this requirement.
Some states may also require surgical technicians to be certified through the NBSTSA or earn the National Center for Competency Testing’s Tech in Surgery–Certified credential. Even if your state has no certification requirements, seeking professional credentials can benefit your career.
Average Travel Surgical Technician Salary
$1,908/week
The average salary for a Travel Surgical Technician is $1,908 per week. This is 32% lower than the practicing US average of $2,526.
Last updated on October 30, 2026. Based on 356 active jobs on Vivian.com in the last 7 days.
Salaries for Travel Surgical Technician compared to Allied Health Professional National Averages
$1,908/week
32% lower than the practicing US average.
$2,526/week
United States
Where do Travel Surgical Technicians get paid the most?
New Jersey pays Travel Surgical Technicians the most, averaging $2,481 per week, followed by Alaska ($2,323) and South Carolina ($2,292). Maryland has the highest ceiling, with max weekly pay reaching $4,780. For comparison, the national average for Travel Surgical Technicians is $1,908 per week — New Jersey pays 30% more.
| State | Average Weekly Salary | Max Weekly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $2,481 | $2,481 |
| Alaska | $2,323 | $2,380 |
| South Carolina | $2,292 | $2,657 |
| New Hampshire | $2,238 | $2,508 |
| Pennsylvania | $2,174 | $3,467 |
| Montana | $2,173 | $3,297 |
| Idaho | $2,127 | $2,592 |
| Maryland | $2,118 | $4,780 |
| Wisconsin | $2,080 | $2,400 |
| North Dakota | $2,056 | $2,302 |
| Illinois | $2,055 | $2,220 |
| Vermont | $2,038 | $2,580 |
| Washington | $2,020 | $2,376 |
| Massachusetts | $2,001 | $2,814 |
| Oregon | $1,954 | $2,235 |
What cities pay the most for Travel Surgical Technicians?
Baltimore, Maryland pays Travel Surgical Technicians the most, averaging $4,780 per week, followed by Springfield, Massachusetts ($2,814) and Charleston, South Carolina ($2,657). For comparison, the national average for Travel Surgical Technicians is $1,908 per week — Baltimore, Maryland pays 150% more.
| City | Average Weekly Salary | Max Weekly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore, Maryland | $4,780 | $4,780 |
| Springfield, Massachusetts | $2,814 | $2,814 |
| Charleston, South Carolina | $2,657 | $2,657 |
| Aurora, Colorado | $2,603 | $2,603 |
| Largo, Florida | $2,481 | $2,481 |
| Morristown, New Jersey | $2,481 | $2,481 |
| Bozeman, Montana | $2,472 | $2,503 |
| Oakland, California | $2,435 | $2,435 |
| Martinsburg, West Virginia | $2,420 | $2,420 |
| Aspen, Colorado | $2,408 | $2,545 |
What are the highest paying Employers and Agencies for Travel Surgical Technician jobs?
Lux Travel Nurse pays Travel Surgical Technicians the most, averaging $2,380 per week, followed by LRS Healthcare - Travel Nursing ($2,376) and Amergis Healthcare Staffing, Inc.-Allied ($2,273). Amergis Healthcare Staffing, Inc.-Allied has the highest ceiling, with max weekly pay reaching $3,467. For comparison, the national average for Travel Surgical Technicians is $1,908 per week — Lux Travel Nurse pays 25% more.
| Average Weekly Salary | Max Weekly Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| Lux Travel Nurse | $2,380 | $2,380 |
| LRS Healthcare - Travel Nursing | $2,376 | $2,376 |
| Amergis Healthcare Staffing, Inc.-Allied | $2,273 | $3,467 |
| MetaSense, Inc. | $2,243 | $2,243 |
| Bestica | $2,215 | $2,215 |
| PRN Healthcare | $2,208 | $2,208 |
| Access Healthcare | $2,175 | $2,175 |
| TotalMed RN | $2,142 | $2,316 |
| Talent4Health | $2,114 | $2,161 |
| Genie Healthcare | $2,109 | $2,267 |
Last updated on October 30, 2026. Information based on active jobs on Vivian.com.
Travel Surgical Technician Career Guide
Use our exclusive Career Guides to research the education, qualifications, skills and responsibilities for a variety of healthcare disciplines and specialties employers are hiring now.
Go to the guideTop Travel Surgical Technician Jobs
CST/ORT - OR
- Portland, Maine
- Maine Medical Center Bramhall
- Wellspring Nurse Source and 3 others
UP TO $2,800/wk
Certified Surgical Technologist - OR
- Bozeman, Montana
- Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital
- Bestica and 9 others
UP TO $2,663/wk
Certified Surgical Technologist
- Ridgecrest, California
- Ridgecrest Regional Hospital
- Anders Group
UP TO $2,519/wk
Estimated pay packageSurgical Tech
- Olympia, Washington
- Providence Saint Peter Hospital
- Host Healthcare and 11 others
UP TO $2,460/wk
Estimated pay packageCertified OR Tech / Surgical Tech
- Medford, Oregon
- Providence Medford Medical Center
- Host Healthcare and 12 others
UP TO $2,509/wk
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Do travel surgical techs earn more than staff surgical techs?
Travel surgical techs generally earn more than surgical techs in staff positions. If you work 40 hours per week at the average staff rate of $38.12 per hour, your weekly salary totals about $1,525. As noted earlier, the average weekly salary for travel surgical techs was $2,125, a difference of about $600 weekly and more than $31,000 annually.
How much does a travel surgical tech make?
Per Vivian Health's salary data, travel surgical technicians earned an average weekly wage of $2,125 during the first week of April 2023. Divided by a 40-hour workweek, this wage equals $53.13 per hour.
What states employ the most surgical techs?
States with large populations tend to have some of the highest employment levels for each job, and surgical technician roles are no exception. According to BLS, these states employ the most surgical techs:
California: 11,390
Texas: 10,820
Florida: 7,370
New York: 5,720
Michigan: 4,130
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