Surgical Technologist Jobs in Louisville, KY
Surgical technologists in Louisville scrub in on cases from the downtown Medical Center to the operating suites in St. Matthews and the Brownsboro corridor. The metro median is about $30.57 an hour, above the statewide figure. Here are the current openings, then who hires surgical techs and how to train.
Current surgical technologist Openings in Louisville, KY
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Surgical Technologist Work in Louisville
Surgical tech work in Louisville centers on the big hospital systems. UofL Health runs ORs at UofL Hospital and Jewish Hospital in the downtown Medical Center, Mary & Elizabeth on Bluegrass Avenue in the South End and Medical Center East. Norton Healthcare hires surgical techs across its area hospitals, from Norton Audubon and Norton Brownsboro off I-71 to Norton Clark in Jeffersonville. Baptist Health Louisville in St. Matthews runs a 23-suite inpatient OR with dedicated cardiovascular rooms, plus outpatient surgery on Breckenridge Lane.
The depth of specialty surgery here, including cardiovascular, labor and delivery, and the vascular lab at Jewish Hospital, means experienced techs can move into higher-paying niches without leaving town. Hospitals staff first shift, 12-hour shifts, nights, weekends and PRN pools, so schedules vary widely from one posting to the next.
Top Louisville Employers for Surgical Technologists
These Louisville health systems hire surgical technologists for their hospital operating rooms:
- Norton Healthcare - hires surgical technicians and certified senior surgical technicians across its Louisville and Southern Indiana hospitals, and accepts apprenticeship graduates.
- UofL Health - staffs surgical techs at UofL Hospital, Jewish Hospital, Mary & Elizabeth and Medical Center East, and runs its own surgical technologist training program.
- Baptist Health Louisville - the St. Matthews hospital hires surgical techs for its main OR and CVOR, orients new graduates and has offered employment bonuses.
Surgical Technologist Salaries in Louisville
- Entry level: about $23 to $26 an hour for new program graduates.
- Experienced: roughly $27 to $33 an hour with a few years of scrubbing cases.
- Senior and specialty: about $34 to $43 an hour for certified senior techs and CVOR or other specialty teams.
These are estimates based on 2025 federal wage data, which puts the Louisville metro median at $30.57 an hour against $29.08 statewide. CST certification, cardiovascular or other specialty experience, call pay, and night or weekend shifts move pay the most, and local hospitals have added sign-on or employment bonuses.
How to Become a Surgical Technologist in Louisville
Most hospitals want graduates of a surgical technology program or military surgical tech training. Locally, Sullivan University, formerly Spencerian College, offers a 21-month A.S. in Surgical Technology accredited by CAAHEP that prepares students for the Certified Surgical Technologist exam, and Jefferson Community and Technical College runs a two-year Surgical Technology program in Louisville, which JCTC lists as CAAHEP-accredited on probationary status since November 2023. Kentucky does not license surgical technologists, so the CST is employer preference, though Norton requires it for senior roles.
What the Job Involves
Surgical technologists set up the operating room, sterilize and arrange instruments, and keep the sterile field intact. During a case they pass instruments and supplies to the surgeon, anticipate the next step, count sponges and sharps with the circulating nurse, and help turn the room over for the next patient.
Skills Employers Look For
- Graduation from a surgical technology program or military training
- CST or similar certification, or eligibility
- Strong sterile technique and instrument knowledge
- BLS certification from the American Heart Association
- Ability to anticipate a surgeon's needs
- Stamina for long cases and on-call shifts
Career Path and Advancement
In Louisville, many techs start in general surgery on a PRN or night schedule, then specialize in cardiovascular, orthopedics or labor and delivery. With three years and certification, Norton's senior surgical technician track opens up, and from there techs move into lead tech roles, first assistant training or surgical services education.
Related Careers in Louisville
If surgical technology interests you, these related Louisville roles are close matches:
- Radiologic Technologist Jobs
- Registered Nurse Jobs
- Medical Laboratory Technician Jobs
- Healthcare Jobs
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a license to be a surgical technologist in Kentucky?
No. Kentucky does not license surgical technologists. Louisville hospitals instead look for graduation from a surgical technology program or military training, and many prefer the Certified Surgical Technologist credential.
How much do surgical technologists make in Louisville?
New graduates generally start around $23 to $26 an hour, and experienced techs earn about $27 to $33. The Louisville metro median was $30.57 an hour in 2025 federal wage data, above the Kentucky median of $29.08.
How long does surgical tech school take in Louisville?
Sullivan University's A.S. in Surgical Technology is designed to be finished in about 21 months. Jefferson Community and Technical College also runs a Surgical Technology program, and Norton accepts graduates of a surgical tech apprenticeship.
Do Louisville hospitals hire new surgical tech graduates?
Yes. Baptist Health Louisville says new graduates are oriented in its operating room, and UofL Health lists completion of its own surgical technologist training program as a qualifying route. Expect to start on PRN, night or weekend schedules.
What is a CVOR surgical tech?
A CVOR tech works on heart and vascular surgery. Baptist Health Louisville runs dedicated cardiovascular suites and hires CVOR techs with prior experience and certification, and this specialty usually pays above general surgery.
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