Surgical Technologist Jobs in Jacksonville, FL
Surgical technologists in Jacksonville earn a metro median of about $31 an hour, and Baptist Health has offered sign-on bonuses up to $10,000 for its Downtown main OR. Here are the current openings across the city's hospitals and surgery centers, followed by who is hiring, what it pays and how to get trained.
Current surgical technologist Openings in Jacksonville, FL
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Surgical Technologist Work in Jacksonville
Jacksonville's operating rooms sit in a few clusters. Baptist Health staffs main ORs at Baptist Downtown on the Southbank, Baptist South off I-95 near Bartram, Baptist Beaches and Baptist Clay on Fleming Island, plus labor and delivery and cardiovascular ORs downtown. Mayo Clinic Florida runs a large surgical program on San Pablo Road off JTB, posting scrub roles by specialty: neurosurgery, orthopedics, cardiothoracic, urology, ENT, plastics and eyes. Outpatient surgery centers on the Southside add daytime, no-call schedules.
Two things set Jacksonville apart. The big systems hire by specialty team, so a tech who learns one service line well can move up quickly. And Florida does not license surgical technologists, so employer policy decides certification: Mayo requires NBSTSA certification within a year of hire, while Baptist prefers CST but will hire new program graduates.
Top Jacksonville Employers Hiring Surgical Technologists
These employers have posted surgical technologist jobs in Jacksonville on their own career sites:
- Baptist Health - hires surgical techs for main ORs at Baptist Downtown, South, Beaches and Clay, plus L&D, CVOR and internal traveler roles.
- Mayo Clinic Florida - the San Pablo Road campus posts specialty surgical technologist and lead tech roles on 12-hour shifts with call.
- SurgCenter of Greater Jacksonville - the USPI surgery center hires per diem scrub techs, with orthopedic experience preferred.
UF Health Jacksonville, Ascension St. Vincent's and HCA Florida Memorial also run surgical services in the city, but their job searches could not be read this month, so check our live listings above for their openings.
Surgical Technologist Salaries in Jacksonville
- Entry level: about $22 to $27 an hour for new program graduates.
- Experienced: roughly $28 to $34 an hour with CST certification.
- Senior and specialty: $35 to $38 an hour or more for lead techs and cardiac, neuro or ortho specialists.
These are estimates built from BLS 2025 wage data for the Jacksonville metro, where the median is about $30.80 an hour. Pay moves with CST certification, specialty service lines like cardiovascular and neurosurgery, call pay, and sign-on bonuses at hospital ORs. Surgery centers often pay a little less but offer daytime hours with no weekends or call.
How to Become a Surgical Technologist in Jacksonville
Florida does not require a state license for surgical technologists, so you will not apply to a state board. Employers want graduation from an accredited surgical technology program, current BLS, and usually the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). Locally, Florida State College at Jacksonville offers the Surgical Services A.S., a 64-credit, CAAHEP-accredited program that prepares you for the CST exam. FSCJ has also run a program with Baptist Health and Memorial Hospital that trains current hospital employees to become surgical technologists.
What the Job Involves
Surgical technologists prepare the operating room before a case, set up sterile instruments and supplies, and scrub in to pass instruments, sutures and sponges to the surgeon. During surgery you anticipate the next step, keep the sterile field intact and count instruments and sponges with the circulating nurse. Afterward you help dress wounds, break down the room and send instruments to sterile processing.
Skills Employers Look For
- Graduation from an accredited surgical technology program
- CST certification, or eligibility to earn it within a year
- Current BLS from the AHA or Red Cross
- Strong sterile technique and instrument knowledge
- Specialty experience in ortho, neuro, cardiac or general surgery
- Ability to stand for long cases and take call
- Calm focus and clear communication with the surgical team
Career Path and Advancement
Most Jacksonville surgical techs start in a general or main OR, then specialize in a service line such as orthopedics, cardiovascular or neurosurgery. Baptist and Mayo both post lead surgical technologist roles, and some techs move into instrument processing liaison work, OR education or first assisting after further training. Others trade hospital call for daytime surgery center schedules on the Southside.
Related Careers in Jacksonville
If the operating room interests you, these related Jacksonville roles are close matches:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a license to be a surgical technologist in Florida?
No. Florida has no state license or registration for surgical technologists. Most Jacksonville employers still want the CST credential from the NBSTSA, and Mayo Clinic requires it within one year of hire.
How much do surgical technologists make in Jacksonville?
BLS 2025 data puts the Jacksonville metro median at about $30.80 an hour, or $64,070 a year. New graduates usually start in the low to mid $20s, and experienced specialty techs can reach the high $30s.
Where can I train as a surgical tech in Jacksonville?
Florida State College at Jacksonville offers the Surgical Services A.S., which is CAAHEP-accredited and prepares graduates for the CST exam. It is a limited-access program, so check FSCJ's admission steps early.
Do surgical techs in Jacksonville have to take call?
At hospitals, usually yes. Baptist and Mayo postings include weekend, holiday and night call, and Mayo asks techs to live within 45 minutes of campus. Surgery centers such as SurgCenter of Greater Jacksonville typically run daytime schedules without call.
Can new graduates get hired as surgical techs in Jacksonville?
Yes. Baptist Health posts main OR roles that accept less than a year of experience, with CST preferred rather than required. New graduates who pass the CST exam quickly have the widest choice of employers.
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