Surgical technologists
SOC Code: 29-2055Also known as:
Certified Surgical Technician, Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), Operating Room Surgical Technician (OR St), Operating Room Surgical Technologist, Operating Room Technician (OR Tech)
Median Annual Salary
$62,830
+4.5% growth (2024-2034)
7K
Openings/Year
116K
Current Jobs
What Surgical technologists Do
Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.
💰 Salary
$62,830
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+4.5%
Faster than average
🎓 Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
7K
Projected average per year
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
115,600
Projected Employment (2034)
120,800
Related Careers
Cardiovascular technologists and technicians
$67,260 •
+3.0% growth
Radiologic technologists and technicians
$77,660 •
+4.3% growth
Surgical assistants
$60,290 •
+5.1% growth
Medical equipment preparers
$46,490 •
+10.0% growth
Healthcare support workers, all other
$46,050 •
+3.5% growth
Top Skills Required
Monitoring
Active Listening
Operations Monitoring
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Maintain a proper sterile field during surgical procedures.
- Count sponges, needles, and instruments before and after operation.
- Scrub arms and hands and assist the surgical team to scrub and put on gloves, masks, and surgical clothing.
- Provide technical assistance to surgeons, surgical nurses, or anesthesiologists.
- Prepare patients for surgery, including positioning patients on the operating table and covering them with sterile surgical drapes to prevent exposure.
- Hand instruments and supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors and cut sutures, and perform other tasks as directed by surgeon during operation.
- Prepare, care for, and dispose of tissue specimens taken for laboratory analysis.
- Wash and sterilize equipment, using germicides and sterilizers.
- Monitor and continually assess operating room conditions, including patient and surgical team needs.
- Operate, assemble, adjust, or monitor sterilizers, lights, suction machines, or diagnostic equipment to ensure proper operation.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Associate's Degree
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Surgical technologists
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a surgical technologists:
Surgical Technology/Technologist
7,626 degrees awarded •
449 colleges offer this program
Sterile Processing Technology/Technician
1,964 degrees awarded •
92 colleges offer this program
Pathology/Pathologist Assistant
153 degrees awarded •
9 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Surgical technologists
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become surgical technologists.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make?
The median annual salary for surgical technologists is $62,830.
What education do surgical technologists need?
Most surgical technologists positions require a postsecondary nondegree award.
Common degree programs include Surgical Technology/Technologist, Sterile Processing Technology/Technician, Pathology/Pathologist Assistant.
Is becoming surgical technologists a good career choice?
Surgical technologists is projected to see +4.5% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 7,000 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for surgical technologists?
Top colleges for aspiring surgical technologists include
Tulsa Technology Center, Madisonville Community College, Texas State Technical College, Northwest Mississippi Community College, Front Range Community College.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to surgical technologists?
Surgical technologists may also be known as: Certified Surgical Technician, Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), Operating Room Surgical Technician (OR St), Operating Room Surgical Technologist, Operating Room Technician (OR Tech), Operating Room Technologist (OR Tech), Scrub Technician, Surgery Technician (Surgery Tech), Surgical Orderly, Surgical Scrub Technician, Surgical Scrub Technologist (Surgical Scrub Tech), Surgical Technician, Surgical Technologist (Surgical Tech), Travel OR Tech (Travel Operating Room Technician), Travel Surgical Tech (Travel Surgical Technician), Travel Surgical Technologist.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.