MCC
Employment
Job Titles
Surgical
Technology
Surgical Technician
Surgical Technologist
Outlook
Educational Requirements: Most employers
prefer to hire graduates of formal training
programs offered by community colleges,
vocational schools and hospitals. Professional
certification as a surgical technician is voluntary.
Employment Outlook
In 2008, there
were
approximately
91,500 persons
employed as surgical
technologists in the United
States. This occupational
area is expected to grow
much faster than average
through 2018. The volume
of surgical procedures is
expected to rise due to the
growing and aging
population. Most surgical
technologists will continue
to be employed by hospitals,
although faster growth is
expected in physician’s
offices and outpatient care
centers, including
ambulatory surgical centers.
In 2006, there were
1,910 persons in
Missouri employed as
surgical technologists.
This number is expected to rise to
2,270 by the year 2016. This
represents a five percent increase
in employment of surgical
technicians per year. It is
estimated that approximately 90
job openings will occur in
Missouri each year.
Sources: America’s Career InfoNet,
Missouri Economic Research & Information Center,
The Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition
About one-fifth of
all surgical
technologists
employed in
Missouri are employed in the
Kansas City area.
Employment for surgical
technologists in Kansas City
is expected to rise about three
percent per year. There will
be about 12 job openings
each year.
The Office of Research and Planning
51.0909 7/10
Program: Surgical Technology Certificate
CIP Code: 51.0909
This is a 51 credit hour certificate program that can be completed in three semesters if
a student attends full-time (at least 17 credit hours per semester in this case).
Degree Holders
Employed Related
Percent
Employed Not Related
Percent
Continuing Education Related
Percent
Continuing Education Not Related
Percent
Other
Percent
Salary
Number Reporting
Mean
Median
Time to Completion
Average Semesters Enrolled
Average Hours per Semester
Employed in Kansas City, MO
Employed in Greater Kansas City
2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009
14
20
12
22
15
14
19
12
19
9
100%
95%
100%
86%
60%
1
1
5%
7%
2
5
9%
33%
4
$27,875
$27,500
6
$30,000
$30,000
2
$30,000
$30,000
6
$28,333
$28,333
3
$26,667
$26,667
3
15
2
5
2
15
6
11
3
15
-
6
9
6
8
6
9
1
1
Companies that employed graduates from this program: Baptist Health Medical Center, Baptist
Note: Time to completion involves looking at the number of semesters a typical student enrolls in order
to complete the program requirements. The number of semesters is influenced by the number of credit
hours a student enrolls in each semester. The number of credit hours a student enrolls in is reflective of
each individual student's time, motivation and/or personal commitments.