Surgical Technologist Jobs in Minneapolis, MN
Surgical technologists in Minneapolis earn a metro median of about $40.53 an hour, and hospital operating rooms here have been offering sign-on money to fill scrub roles. Here are the current openings, followed by who hires surgical techs, what they earn and how to get trained.
Current surgical technologist Openings in Minneapolis, MN
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Surgical Technologist Work in Minneapolis
Scrub work in Minneapolis follows the city's big operating suites. HCMC's downtown OR, by US Bank Stadium, handles Level 1 trauma around the clock. Abbott Northwestern on East 28th Street in Phillips, Minneapolis' largest private hospital, anchors Allina's surgical work, Children's Minnesota operates next door on Chicago Avenue, and the University of Minnesota Medical Center runs ORs on the West Bank by Cedar-Riverside and the East Bank by the U. North Memorial in Robbinsdale and M Health Fairview Southdale in Edina add suburban suites along Highway 100.
The metro employs about 1,080 surgical technologists, according to Minnesota DEED's first-quarter 2026 wage survey, and hiring has been tight. Hennepin Healthcare has advertised a $10,000 hiring incentive for outside surgical techs, M Health Fairview has offered sign-on bonuses of up to $8,000 at Southdale, and Allina started training its own techs at Abbott Northwestern rather than wait for graduates.
Top Minneapolis Employers for Surgical Technologists
These Minneapolis-area hospital systems employ surgical technologists in their operating rooms:
- Hennepin Healthcare - HCMC's downtown operating rooms hire surgical technologists on rotating day, evening and night shifts with call, and recent postings listed $35.40 to $44.34 an hour.
- M Health Fairview - the University of Minnesota Medical Center West Bank, Masonic Children's Hospital and Southdale in Edina staff general and cardiovascular surgical techs.
- Allina Health - Abbott Northwestern hires surgical technologists and runs a paid Surgical Technologist Apprentice program for new entrants.
- Children's Minnesota - the Minneapolis hospital on Chicago Avenue hires graduates of accredited surgical technology programs for pediatric surgery.
- North Memorial Health - North Memorial Health Hospital, the Level 1 trauma center in Robbinsdale, hires surgical technologists for its operating rooms.
Surgical Technologist Salaries in Minneapolis
- Entry level: about $33 to $36 an hour for new graduates.
- Experienced: roughly $38 to $43 an hour, around the metro median of $40.53.
- Senior and specialty: $44 to $49 an hour for senior and cardiovascular techs.
These are estimates drawn from DEED wage data and pay ranges posted by Hennepin Healthcare and M Health Fairview, whose West Bank posting ran from $34.88 to $49.25 an hour. Call pay, night and weekend differentials, a cardiovascular or neuro specialty, and the CST credential move pay the most, and sign-on bonuses come and go with OR staffing.
How to Become a Surgical Technologist in Minneapolis
Minnesota does not license or register surgical technologists, so no state exam stands between you and the job. Employers set the bar instead: most want a graduate of an accredited program, and some, including Hennepin Healthcare on some postings, require the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). Locally, Saint Paul College on Marshall Avenue and Anoka Technical College on Highway 10 in Anoka offer CAAHEP-accredited Surgical Technology AAS degrees, and both start with Sterile Processing coursework. Allina's apprentice program at Abbott Northwestern is the paid route: about 10 months of paid training that ends with a national surgical technologist certification exam.
What the Job Involves
Surgical technologists set up the sterile field before each case, count and pass instruments, sponges and sutures, anticipate the surgeon's next need and keep the field sterile from first incision to closing. Between cases you break down the room, send instruments to sterile processing and prepare for the next patient, and on call nights you may come in for emergency cases.
Skills Employers Look For
- CST certification or eligibility
- Strict aseptic technique
- Knowledge of instruments for general, ortho and specialty cases
- Current BLS certification
- Steady focus during long procedures
- Willingness to take call and rotate shifts
Career Path and Advancement
Many Minneapolis techs start in general surgery at HCMC, Abbott Northwestern or a suburban hospital, then specialize in cardiovascular, neuro, transplant or pediatric cases at the downtown and university hospitals. From there the path runs to senior or lead surgical technologist, OR educator, surgical first assistant with further training, or a move into sterile processing or perioperative leadership.
Related Careers in Minneapolis
If operating room work interests you, these related Minneapolis healthcare roles are close matches:
- Radiologic Technologist Jobs
- Registered Nurse Jobs
- Licensed Practical Nurse Jobs
- Certified Nursing Assistant Jobs
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a license to be a surgical technologist in Minnesota?
No. Minnesota does not license or register surgical technologists. Hospitals set their own requirements, usually graduation from an accredited program, and many want or require the NBSTSA's Certified Surgical Technologist credential.
How much do surgical technologists make in Minneapolis?
The metro median is about $40.53 an hour, per Minnesota DEED's 2026 survey. New graduates usually start around $33 to $36 an hour, and senior or cardiovascular techs can earn $44 to $49 an hour before call pay.
How long does surgical tech school take in the Twin Cities?
The AAS programs at Saint Paul College and Anoka Technical College take about two years, including the Sterile Processing prerequisite. Allina's paid apprentice program at Abbott Northwestern runs about 10 months of paid training.
Do Minneapolis surgical techs have to take call?
At hospitals with trauma and emergency surgery, usually yes. HCMC's surgical technologist postings include rotating shifts, every fourth weekend and on-call duty.
Can I get paid while training to be a surgical tech in Minneapolis?
Yes, through Allina Health's Surgical Technologist Apprentice program, which began at Abbott Northwestern. Apprentices are paid an hourly wage during virtual coursework and OR training, pay no tuition, and move into open surgical technologist roles after certifying.
Ready to apply? Browse all Surgical Technologist jobs in Minneapolis, MN on LocalJobPage and apply today.