Surgical Technologist Jobs in Columbus, OH
Surgical technologists in Columbus earned a median of $30.83 an hour in 2025 federal wage data, and Columbus State runs part of its training with Ohio State in the surgical skills lab at the Jameson Crane Sports Medicine Institute. Here are the current openings, followed by who hires, what it pays and how to get certified.
Current surgical technologist Openings in Columbus, OH
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Surgical Technologist Work in Columbus
Four large health systems run surgery in Columbus, so operating room jobs are spread across the whole metro. Ohio State Wexner Medical Center hires surgical technologists for The James cancer hospital and University Hospital on the medical campus off W 10th Avenue, plus outpatient surgery sites. OhioHealth staffs ORs at Riverside Methodist on Olentangy River Road and Dublin Methodist, and Mount Carmel hires for Mount Carmel East on E Broad Street and Mount Carmel New Albany, including heart and vascular and labor and delivery teams.
Nationwide Children's Hospital adds pediatric surgery, with a surgery center that hires its own techs. Hiring offers show how hard these roles are to fill: OhioHealth has offered a $7,500 sign-on bonus to experienced surgical technologists at Riverside Methodist, and Ohio State and Columbus State teamed up in 2024 to train more operating room staff.
Top Columbus Employers for Surgical Technologists
These Columbus health systems hire surgical technologists for inpatient, outpatient and specialty surgery:
- Ohio State Wexner Medical Center - hires surgical technologists for The James, University Hospital and outpatient surgery centers.
- OhioHealth - hires surgical technologists and lead techs at Riverside Methodist, Dublin Methodist and its other central Ohio hospitals.
- Mount Carmel Health System - hires surgical technologists at Mount Carmel East and Mount Carmel New Albany, including heart and vascular and obstetrical roles.
- Nationwide Children's Hospital - hires surgical technologists for its surgery center, with posted pay starting at $23.23 an hour.
Surgical Technologist Salaries in Columbus
- Entry level: about $23 to $28 an hour for new graduates.
- Experienced: roughly $29 to $35 an hour for certified techs with a few years in the OR.
- Senior / specialty: $37 to $40 or more an hour for lead techs and specialty teams such as heart and vascular.
These are estimates. Federal wage data for the Columbus metro put the 2025 median at $30.83 an hour, the 10th percentile at $24.09 and the 90th at $40.70, slightly above the Ohio median of $30.01. Nationwide Children's posted a $23.23 minimum for its surgery center role. CST certification, call coverage, evening and weekend shifts and specialty service lines move pay the most, and OhioHealth's sign-on bonus has gone only to experienced hires, not new graduates.
How to Become a Surgical Technologist in Columbus
Ohio does not currently license or certify surgical technologists. House Bill 423, which passed the Ohio House in May 2026, would create state certification under the Ohio Department of Health, but it was still in the Senate Health Committee at last check. Employers set the bar instead: most want graduation from an accredited surgical technology program, and many prefer or require the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential from the NBSTSA or a certification from the NCCT, plus BLS. Columbus State Community College offers a five-semester Surgical Technology associate of applied science degree, accredited by CAAHEP, with an 82% national certification exam pass rate; selected students train in the Ohio State surgical skills lab. Mount Carmel also accepts graduates of a practical nursing program who hold an Ohio LPN license.
What the Job Involves
Surgical technologists prepare operating rooms, sterilize and arrange instruments and supplies, and help the surgical team gown and glove. During a procedure they keep the sterile field intact, pass instruments, sponges and sutures, anticipate the surgeon's next need, and count instruments and sponges with the circulating nurse before the patient is closed. Afterward they help move the patient, break down the room and send instruments to sterile processing.
Skills Employers Look For
- Graduation from an accredited surgical technology program
- CST (NBSTSA) or NCCT certification
- BLS certification
- Strong sterile technique and instrument knowledge
- Ability to anticipate the surgeon's needs
- Stamina for long cases and on-call shifts
- Calm teamwork under pressure
Career Path and Advancement
Most Columbus surgical technologists start in a general OR or outpatient surgery center, then move onto specialty teams such as heart and vascular, orthopedics, neuro or labor and delivery. From there the ladder runs to lead surgical technologist, which OhioHealth hires at Riverside Methodist, and on to surgical first assistant, OR educator or perioperative management, or to nursing school for those who want to become OR nurses.
Related Careers in Columbus
If operating room work interests you, these related Columbus healthcare roles are close matches:
- Registered Nurse Jobs
- Licensed Practical Nurse Jobs
- Radiologic Technologist Jobs
- Certified Nursing Assistant Jobs
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a license to be a surgical technologist in Columbus?
No. Ohio does not currently license or certify surgical technologists, though House Bill 423 would create state certification if it passes the Senate. Most Columbus hospitals still require graduation from an accredited program and prefer or require CST or NCCT certification.
How much do surgical technologists make in Columbus?
The 2025 federal median for the Columbus metro was $30.83 an hour, or about $64,120 a year. Most techs earn between about $24.09 and $40.70 an hour, depending on experience, certification and specialty.
How long does surgical tech school take in Columbus?
The Columbus State Community College Surgical Technology program is a five-semester associate of applied science degree, about two years, that ends with the national certification exam. Students apply through Columbus State.
Can an LPN work as a surgical technologist in Columbus?
Some employers allow it. Mount Carmel has accepted graduates of a practical nursing school with a current Ohio LPN license in place of a surgical technology certificate. Ohio State, OhioHealth and Nationwide Children's postings generally ask for surgical technology program graduates.
Do Columbus hospitals offer sign-on bonuses for surgical techs?
Some do. OhioHealth has offered $7,500 to experienced external hires at Riverside Methodist, and Mount Carmel has posted $7,500 bonuses for surgical technologists at Mount Carmel East. OhioHealth's offer excluded new graduates and internal candidates, so read each posting.
Ready to apply? Browse all Surgical Technologist jobs in Columbus, OH on LocalJobPage and apply today.