Get started with your new career in healthcare today and learn how to become a surgical technician/technologist (surgical tech) in Oklahoma.
We have information on all the top accredited surgical tech programs, certification/ licensing requirements, and salaries and employment data for aspiring surgical technicians in Oklahoma.
How do I become a Surgical Tech in Oklahoma?
A career as a surgical technician offers great income potential and excellent job prospects with growth of over 11% projected between 2016 and 2024.
In order to become a surgical technician in Oklahoma, you will need to complete an accredited surgical tech program. Surgical tech programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) as well as the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
A high school diploma or similar is typically a requirement for admittance into such programs. Some schools may require certain subjects such as biology or maths as a prerequisite. Additionally you may be required to undergo some background checks and health screening as part of the admittance process.
Most surgical tech programs will typically take between 9 months and 2 years to complete depending on whether it is a certificate or degree program.
Once you have graduated from an accredited program you can then choose to sit the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) certification exams to become a Certified Surgical Technologist. Certification is not essential but it is generally preferred by employers and will help greatly with career advancement.
As of yet licensing for surgical technicians is only a requirement in a small number of states including Colorado, Illinois, Washington, Indiana, and DC.
Accredited Surgical Tech Programs in Oklahoma
| College | Metro Area | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Autry Technology Center | Enid | autrytech.edu |
| Brown Mackie College | Tulsa | brownmackie.edu |
| Canadian Valley Technology Center | Chickasha | cvtech.org |
| Central Technology Center | Drumright | centraltech.edu |
| Cherokee Nation WW Hastings Hospital | Tahlequah | cherokee.org |
| Community Care College | Tulsa | communitycarecollege.edu |
| Great Plains Technology Center | Lawton | greatplains.edu |
| Indian Capital Technology Center | Stilwell | ictctech.com |
| Metro Technology Center | Oklahoma City | metrotech.edu |
| Moore Norman Technology Center | Norman | mntechnology.edu |
| Platt College | Oklahoma City | plattcollege.org |
| Tulsa Technology Center | Tulsa | tulsatech.edu |
| Wes Watkins Technology Center | Wetumka | wwtech.edu |
Before you enrol in any surgical tech school it is strongly recommended that you confirm that it is fully accredited.
There are currently 13 accredited surgical technician programs in Oklahoma – listed above.
You can also view the map below for more information on surgical technician programs in Oklahoma.
How much do Surgical Techs make in Oklahoma?
| Average Salary | $41,040 |
|---|---|
| Hourly Wage | $19.73 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $56,740 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $28,860 |
| # Employed | 1,500 |
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data data released in March 2018 the average surgical technician salary in Oklahoma is $41,040 – 15% more than the national average of $48,060.
This represents an hourly wage of $19.73.
Those in the top pay brackets for the profession in Oklahoma earn an average salary of $56,740 whilst those in the lower pay brackets and in entry level positions earn an average of $28,860 per annum.
There are currently 1,500 persons working as surgical technicians in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma Surgical Tech Employment and Salaries by Metro Area
The table below details salary and employment levels for surgical technicians in the main cities and metro areas in Oklahoma.
As can be seen from the table the highest average salaries for surgical techs in Oklahoma are in the Oklahoma City area whilst the highest number of surgical tech jobs are in Enid.
| Metro Area | Average Salary | Top 10% | Bottom 10% | # Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enid | $53,280 | $67,230 | $40,170 | 840 |
| Oklahoma City | $62,320 | $88,710 | $42,770 | - |
| Tulsa | $49,070 | $64,970 | $30,610 | 580 |
Surgical Tech V’s Related Careers
The table below compares average surgical technician salary and employment in Oklahoma with salary levels for related healthcare careers in the state.
| Salary | # Employed | |
|---|---|---|
| Surgical Technologist | $41,040 | 1,500 |
| Medical Assistant | $30,140 | 8,440 |
| Nursing Assistant | $24,770 | 16,900 |
| Dental Assistant | $35,180 | 3,930 |
| EMT Paramedic | $39,560 | 2,080 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $23,380 | 760 |
| Respiratory Therapy Tech | $45,910 | 250 |
| Veterinary Technician | $27,370 | 820 |
| Phlebotomy Technician | $30,180 | 1,350 |
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