Surgical Tech schools near me in San Francisco
San Francisco’s world-class hospitals and growing outpatient surgery centers create steady demand for Surgical Technicians who can keep operating rooms safe, sterile, and on-schedule. The San Francisco–Oakland–Hayward metro employs about 2,070 surgical technologists who earn an average $89,010 per year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023). If you want to join this fast-paced career, below is everything you need—from tuition and timelines to local and online schools.
Key Points
- A Surgical Technician (or Surgical Technologist) prepares the OR, sterilizes instruments, and assists surgeons throughout a procedure.
- Tuition for San Francisco–area programs ranges $10,000 – $35,000, while the fully online options start around $1,599.
- Training can be completed in 16 weeks to 24 months, depending on certificate versus associate degree.
- Surgical Technicians in the SF metro average $89,010 per year (BLS May 2023).
- Roughly 2,070 Surgical Technicians work in the San Francisco Bay Area.
What is a Surgical Technician?
A Surgical Technician sets up the sterile field, hands instruments to the surgeon, and ensures patient safety before, during, and after surgery.
Requirements to Become a Surgical Technician in San Francisco
- High-school diploma or GED
- Completion of an accredited certificate or associate program in Surgical Technology
- Current BLS/CPR card
- Eligibility to sit for the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam
- Background check and immunizations for clinical rotations
What’s the Fastest Someone Can Become a Surgical Technician in San Francisco?
The quickest route is an accelerated certificate that focuses on core OR skills and clinical hours; many students finish in 9 – 15 months and sit directly for the CST exam.
Surgical Technician Classes in San Francisco
Below are three popular training options—one online certificate and two Bay Area campuses.
Preppy
- Length: 16 weeks (100 % online, self-paced)
- Cost: One-time $1,599 or $299/month (free laptop included)
- Requirements: HS diploma/GED; internet access
- Overview: University-issued certificate with 24/7 course access, FFL-application guidance, externship placement, and eligibility for the NCCT TS-C or AAH NCST exams.
City College of San Francisco – A.S. in Surgical Technology
- Length: 24 months
- Cost: ~$3,500 in-state tuition ($46/unit) plus lab fees
- Requirements: Prerequisite sciences, TEAS test, background check
- Overview: Classroom, simulation lab, and hospital rotations prepare graduates for the CST exam.
Unitek College (Fremont) – Surgical Technology Diploma
- Length: 15 months
- Cost: ≈ $30,000 (financial-aid eligible)
- Requirements: Entrance exam, background check, immunizations
- Overview: Accelerated program featuring on-campus skills labs and externships across Bay-Area surgery centers.
Online Surgical Technician Classes in San Francisco
Fully online options—including Preppy, Pima Medical Institute Online, and Purdue Global—deliver didactic coursework remotely and arrange local clinical externships, making it easier to train while working.
Free Surgical Technician Classes in San Francisco
No tuition-free surgical-tech programs exist, but you may offset costs through:
- Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) Grants: WorkforceSF may fund approved certificates for eligible residents.
- Hospital Tuition Reimbursement: UCSF Health and other large systems often support employees pursuing allied-health credentials.
- Scholarships: NBSTSA Foundation and local allied-health associations offer annual awards.
Surgical Technician Certification Process
- Graduate from an accredited program.
- Apply to the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting for the CST exam.
- Pass the 175-question test to earn the CST credential.
- Renew every four years with 60 continuing-education credits or by re-examination.
Job Environment: Where Do Surgical Technicians Work?
- Hospitals: UCSF Medical Center, California Pacific Medical Center, Zuckerberg SF General
- Outpatient Surgery Centers: San Francisco Surgery Center, Kaiser Permanente ASC suites
- Specialty Practices: Orthopedic, cardiovascular, and cosmetic-surgery offices
Final Thoughts
With above-national wages and world-renowned hospitals, San Francisco is a prime city for Surgical Technicians. Choose an accredited certificate or degree—online or on campus—complete clinical hours, and pass the CST to launch a stable, respected career in the operating room. Ready to scrub in? Compare programs and enroll through Dreambound today.
Looking for a better fit? These other articles could be more in line with your expectations if this one isn't precisely what you had in mind: