Surgical Technologist Jobs in Tucson, AZ
Surgical technologists in Tucson scrub in at TMC Health, Carondelet St. Mary's and the Tucson VA, setting up the sterile field and passing instruments in the operating room. Local surg techs averaged $32.44 an hour in May 2025. Current openings are below, then who is hiring and how to train.
Current Surgical Technologist Openings in Tucson, AZ
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Surgical Technologist Work in Tucson
About 340 surgical technologists worked in the Tucson metro in May 2025, according to BLS, and the hospitals post most of the openings. TMC Health on Grant Road posts orthopedic, neuro and women's surgery tech jobs, Carondelet St. Mary's on the west side hires senior surgical techs, and the Tucson VA Medical Center on South Sixth Avenue hires surgical technicians as federal employees. Northwest Healthcare runs surgical services at Northwest Medical Center on La Cholla and Oro Valley Hospital on Tangerine Road.
Specialty matters here. TMC's current surgical tech postings are for its Ortho/Neuro OR and women's surgery, and Banner - University Medical Center Tucson, next to the University of Arizona, is Southern Arizona's only Level I trauma center. A tech who can scrub ortho and neuro cases has the widest choice of jobs across town.
Top Tucson Employers Hiring Surgical Technologists
These Tucson employers have posted or named surgical tech roles on their own careers sites:
- TMC Health - certified surgical tech and surgical technician openings in the Ortho/Neuro OR and per diem women's surgery at Tucson Medical Center.
- Carondelet Health Network - Surgical Tech IV and surgery aide roles at Carondelet St. Mary's Hospital.
- Southern Arizona VA Health Care System - posted a GS-7 surgical technician job at the Tucson VA Medical Center in September 2026.
- Northwest Healthcare - surgical techs, anesthesia techs and first assists in surgical services at Northwest Medical Center and Oro Valley Hospital.
Surgical Technologist Salaries in Tucson
- Entry level (new graduate): roughly $25 to $30 an hour.
- Experienced (CST, 3 or more years): roughly $30 to $36 an hour.
- Specialty, senior or lead tech: roughly $36 to $42 an hour.
These are estimates that vary by employer and experience. BLS put the Tucson mean at $32.44 an hour in May 2025, and the VA's September 2026 surgical technician posting paid $64,659 to $84,059 a year at GS-7. On-call pay, nights and specialty service lines like ortho and neuro push hospital pay higher.
How to Become a Surgical Technologist in Tucson
Pima Community College's Surgical Technology associate degree is the local program: two years full time, in person at West Campus on Anklam Road. It is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) on the recommendation of ARC/STSA and prepares graduates for the national certification exam for the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential. Arizona does not license surgical technologists, so there is no state board to apply to, but many Tucson hospitals ask for the CST or for graduation from an accredited program, plus BLS.
What the Job Involves
A surgical technologist sets up the operating room before the case, opens sterile supplies, arranges instruments and counts everything with the circulating nurse. During surgery you keep the sterile field intact, hand the surgeon instruments before they ask, and manage sponges, sutures and specimens. After the case you count again, break down the room and get it turned over for the next patient.
Skills Employers Look For
- Sterile technique and aseptic practice
- Instrument knowledge across general, ortho and neuro sets
- CST certification or an accredited program
- Steady hands and focus through long cases
- Clear communication with surgeons and nurses
- Willingness to take call, nights and weekends
Career Path and Advancement
Many Tucson techs start in general surgery or per diem, then specialize in ortho, neuro or women's surgery, which widens job choice. Carondelet posts senior Surgical Tech IV roles, and TMC posts a surgical first assist role at TMC Rincon for techs who train further. Others move into OR lead, sterile processing leadership or education.
Related Careers in Tucson
These Tucson guides cover the closest alternatives for surgical techs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a license to be a surgical tech in Arizona?
No. Arizona does not license surgical technologists. Many Tucson hospitals ask for the national CST credential or graduation from an accredited program, along with BLS, so plan on earning both.
How long is surgical tech school in Tucson?
Pima Community College's Surgical Technology associate degree takes two years full time, in person at West Campus. The program is CAAHEP accredited and prepares you for the national certification exam.
How much do surgical technologists make in Tucson?
BLS put the Tucson mean at $32.44 an hour in May 2025. New graduates usually start around $25 to $30 an hour, and specialty or lead techs can reach $36 to $42. Call pay and shift differentials can add to that.
Which Tucson employers hire surgical techs?
TMC Health, Carondelet St. Mary's, the Southern Arizona VA and Northwest Healthcare have all posted or named surgical tech roles on their own careers sites. The hospital systems post most of the openings, so check their careers sites often.
Can a surgical tech become a first assist in Tucson?
Yes, with more training and experience. TMC Health posts a surgical first assist role at TMC Rincon, and Northwest Healthcare lists first assists in its surgical services. Experienced scrub techs can also move into OR lead or sterile processing roles.
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