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Find out how much a surgical technologist makes in Virginia. We provide information on salary, job outlook, and more.
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Introduction
Surgical technologists, also called operating room technicians or scrub techs, are allied health professionals who work alongside surgeons, nurses and other medical staff during surgical procedures. They are responsible for preparing the operating room for surgery and sterilely packaging and disinfecting instruments and equipment. Surgical techs also help transfer patients to the operating room table and position them appropriately. During surgery, they hand instruments and supplies to surgeons as needed.
What is a Surgical Tech?
A surgical technologist is a medical professional who works closely with surgeons and other members of the surgical team to ensure that operations are carried out safely and effectively. Surgical techs typically have an associate’s degree in surgical technology, although some may have a bachelor’s degree.
In Virginia, the average annual salary for a surgical technologist is $51,180, which is slightly higher than the national average of $50,320. Surgical technologists in Virginia earn a median hourly wage of $24.68, which is also higher than the national median of $24.34. The top 10 percent of earners in this field make more than $64,560 per year, while the bottom 10 percent make less than $39,040 per year.
How Much Does a Surgical Tech Make in Virginia?
Surgical techs in Virginia earn an average hourly wage of $19.39, which is equivalent to an annual salary of $40,290. This is slightly below the national average for surgical techs, which is $20.87 per hour, or $43,430 per year. Virginia surgical techs earn more than those in some other states, such as West Virginia ($15.31 per hour) and Arkansas ($16.90), but less than those in Maryland ($24.06) and the District of Columbia ($26.40).
Surgical Tech Certification in Virginia
In order to work as a surgical technologist in Virginia, you will need to obtain certification from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). The NBSTSA offers two types of certification: the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) and the Tech in Surgery-Certified (TS-C). The CST is the more advanced of the two certification levels, and requires both a written exam and a skills demonstration. The TS-C can be obtained through either a written exam or a portfolio review process.
Once you have obtained your certification, you will need to maintain it by renewing every four years. You can do this by either taking continuing education courses or by retaking the certification exam.
Job Outlook for Surgical Techs in Virginia
The job outlook for surgical techs in Virginia is good. The state is expected to see a 14 percent growth in the number of jobs for surgical techs between 2016 and 2026, according to the Virginia Employment Commission. That’s much faster than the average growth rate for all occupations in the state.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the average salary for a surgical technologist in Virginia is $47,780 per year. The average hourly wage is $23.02. There is a wide range of salaries across the state, with the highest salaries in Fairfax and Arlington counties and the lowest in the south-central and southwest regions of the state.
