Surgical tech programs in Alabama

3 surgical tech programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

3 schools offer these surgical technology programs, and Alabama has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Surgical technologists, also called operating room technicians, prepare operating rooms, arrange the equipment and help doctors during surgery. Most have a certificate or an associate degree from an accredited program, and some employers require certification.¹

In Alabama, all 3 programs ask for a high school diploma or equivalent.

By kind, the 3 programs here are surgical tech program (level not stated, 2 programs) and surgical technology certificate or diploma (1 program).

See the 3 programs

How much do surgical tech programs cost in Alabama?

$4,496 to $10,540

is what the 3 programs with a price cost if you pay yourself

In the typical program

Finished the program: Not enough data; 3 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Working 6 months later: Left out; Alabama's rates sit far below every other state's
Earned a year, estimated: Not enough data; 3 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Length: Not reported; None of the 3 programs report it

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Alabama may also offer surgical tech programs. How these figures are made

Are there free surgical tech programs in Alabama?

Yes, if you qualify. WIOA (public workforce funding) can pay for any program on this page, in full or in part, depending on local limits.²³⁴In program year 2024 it paid toward the training of at least 9 people at 2 of the 3 programs here.
Ask an American Job Center whether you qualify, or call 1-877-872-5627.⁵ Before funding training, the center goes through an assessment and a career plan with you.⁴
Or pay yourself. These programs cost $4,496 to $10,540.

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 3 surgical tech programs in Alabama approved for WIOA funding

3 programs

Surgical tech program (level not stated)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Surgical Technology
Calhoun Community College
Decatur
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Calhoun Community College, DecaturSurgical tech program (level not stated) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$25,400
Price if you pay yourself$10,540
4 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, Surgical Technology at Calhoun Community College
More details about Surgical Technology at Calhoun Community College
Finished
97%
Working at 6 months
Left out
Earned in a quarter
$6,346
Length
Not reported
Cost of supplies
$1,800
Students counted
87
Earned a year, estimated
$25,400
Price if you pay yourself
$10,540
students trained with WIOA funding
4
Program website, Surgical Technology at Calhoun Community College
Surgical technology certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Surgical Operating Technician-Certificate
Bevill State Community College
Sumiton
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Bevill State Community College, SumitonSurgical technology certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$22,500
Price if you pay yourself$4,496
5 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, Surgical Operating Technician-Certificate at Bevill State Community College
More details about Surgical Operating Technician-Certificate at Bevill State Community College
Finished
85%
Working at 6 months
Left out
Earned in a quarter
$5,620
Length
Not reported
Cost of supplies
$2,238
Students counted
51
Earned a year, estimated
$22,500
Price if you pay yourself
$4,496
students trained with WIOA funding
5
Program website, Surgical Operating Technician-Certificate at Bevill State Community College
Surgical tech program (level not stated)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Surgical Technology
Southern Union Community College
Opelika
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Southern Union Community College, OpelikaSurgical tech program (level not stated) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$47,200
Price if you pay yourself$10,206
Program website, Surgical Technology at Southern Union Community College
More details about Surgical Technology at Southern Union Community College
Finished
59%
Working at 6 months
Left out
Earned in a quarter
$11,791
Length
Not reported
Cost of supplies
$3,205
Students counted
26
Earned a year, estimated
$47,200
Price if you pay yourself
$10,206
Program website, Surgical Technology at Southern Union Community College

How to pay for surgical tech programs in Alabama

WIOA funding can pay for surgical tech programs in Alabama

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for surgical tech programs

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.⁶⁷

GI Bill for surgical tech programs

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.⁸

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Surgical tech programs in Huntsville, Birmingham, Auburn and other Alabama cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above.

Other training in Alabama

How surgical tech programs compare with the rest of allied health: Allied health programs in Alabama

Where the Alabama surgical technology program numbers come from

Which Alabama surgical technology programs are on this list?

These are the surgical technology programs Alabama approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).⁹ The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Alabama offers.

How the prices and results of Alabama surgical technology programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

How reliable are the Alabama figures?

The US Department of Labor's own results site lists Alabama among the states with "known data quality concerns".¹⁰ We leave out the share working 6 months later for Alabama: its rates sit far below every other state's.

Sources for the facts about surgical tech programs in Alabama

Show the 10 sourcesHide the sources

Nursing and patient care

Medical office and lab

General healthcare

Skilled trades

Transportation and logistics

Computers and IT

Business and office

Beauty and personal care

Public safety

Food and hospitality

Education and social services