Paramedic
Median wage · national
$60,600
Range: $50K – $73K
Employed
101K
Openings/yr
5K
Typically: postsecondary nondegree award
HEALTH
Surgical Technologists
Surgical Technologists earn $64,650 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $54,690 and $79,750. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Surgical Technologists
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.
- Median Wage
- $64,650
- Employed Nationally
- 117K
- Openings / Year
- 7,000
- Entry Education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Job Zone
- Zone 3: Medium Preparation
Also known as:
Certified Surgical Technician
Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)
Operating Room Surgical Technician (OR St)
Operating Room Surgical Technologist
Operating Room Technician (OR Tech)
How Much Do Surgical Technologists Make?
Surgical Technologists earn $64,650 nationally, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $54,690 and $79,750. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$64,650
National Median (Annual)
Near the national median for college graduates.
$55K–$80K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$54,690
Entry-level
$64,650
Median
$79,750
Experienced
What Do Surgical Technologists Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Surgical Technologists roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- 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.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Monitoring
Active Listening
Operations Monitoring
Critical Thinking
Speaking
Who Thrives Here
R
Realistic
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
S
Social
Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.
Where Do Surgical Technologists Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
High
High time pressure and significant consequences for errors. Deadline-driven or high-stakes decisions are common.
What Is the Job Outlook for Surgical Technologists?
The BLS projects +4.5% employment change for Surgical Technologists through 2034, roughly in line with the national average of +5%. About 7,000 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +4.5%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
About as fast as average.
7,000
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
117K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Surgical Technologists professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $64,650 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 10,570 | $81,120 | +25.5% |
| 2 | Texas | 9,870 | $62,640 | -3.1% |
| 3 | Florida | 8,620 | $61,030 | -5.6% |
| 4 | New York | 5,910 | $75,250 | +16.4% |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 4,710 | $61,770 | -4.5% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Surgical Technologists positions require a postsecondary nondegree award to qualify. The 3 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Job Zone
Zone 3: Medium Preparation
A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Allied Health Diagnostic | 85,413 | $70,786 | 1,768 |
| 2 | Medical Assisting | 79,189 | $68,559 | 1,600 |
| 3 | Clinical/Medical Laboratory | 19,017 | $75,975 | 966 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Surgical Technologists
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| 2 | Stanford University Stanford, CA | 92 | $13,807 | $124,080 |
| 3 | North Florida College Madison, FL | 91 | $804 | $33,929 |
| 4 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI | 91 | $13,138 | $83,648 |
| 5 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC | 90 | $11,655 | $72,200 |
| 6 | University of California-Davis Davis, CA | 90 | $14,741 | $80,838 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Surgical Technologists, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Surgical Technologists pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Surgical Technologists Pros & Cons
The data on Surgical Technologists shows 3 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
PROS
- Competitive salary $64,650 median wage puts this career near or above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- Steady job outlook The BLS projects +4.5% growth through 2034, keeping pace with the national average. Demand is stable and annual openings remain consistent.
- Accessible entry path The typical entry requirement is a postsecondary nondegree award, lower than many comparable-paying careers. This creates a shorter path from training to first paycheck.
CONS
- Limited annual openings With only 7,000 openings per year relative to field size, competition for available positions is intense. Networking and experience matter more here than in higher-turnover fields.
Surgical Technologists Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Surgical Technologists professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Surgical Technologists is $64,650, near the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $54,690 and $79,750. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Surgical Technologists a good career?
For people genuinely interested in the work, yes. At $64,650 median, with +4.5% projected growth through 2034, there is a real financial case and a stable market for new entrants. Compare program net price against local salary outcomes (not just the national median) before committing.
How do I become a Surgical Technologists?
Most Surgical Technologists positions require a postsecondary nondegree award as the minimum credential. a medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience. Programs like Allied Health Diagnostic are common starting points.
What is the job outlook for Surgical Technologists?
The BLS projects +4.5% employment change for Surgical Technologists through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 7,000 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 117K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
What skills do Surgical Technologists professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Surgical Technologists roles: Monitoring, Active Listening, Operations Monitoring, Critical Thinking, and Speaking. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
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