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.Salary by State
| State Name | Employment | Annual Salary | Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 2,220 | $40,550 | $19.50 | |
| Alaska | 230 | $65,690 | $31.58 | |
| Arizona | 2,540 | $55,610 | $26.74 | |
| Arkansas | 1,300 | $43,880 | $21.09 | |
| California | 11,390 | $68,410 | $32.89 | |
| Colorado | 1,600 | $59,330 | $28.53 | |
| Connecticut | 1,270 | $65,190 | $31.34 | |
| Delaware | 300 | $53,470 | $25.71 | |
| District of Columbia | 270 | $65,250 | $31.37 | |
| Florida | 7,370 | $48,050 | $23.10 | |
| Georgia | 2,520 | $50,620 | $24.34 | |
| Hawaii | 260 | $61,190 | $29.42 | |
| Idaho | 740 | $51,130 | $24.58 | |
| Illinois | 3,520 | $51,400 | $24.71 | |
| Indiana | 2,610 | $50,510 | $24.29 | |
| Iowa | 820 | $45,580 | $21.92 | |
| Kansas | 970 | $48,000 | $23.08 | |
| Kentucky | 2,370 | $47,000 | $22.60 | |
| Louisiana | 2,210 | $43,240 | $20.79 | |
| Maine | 420 | $54,560 | $26.23 | |
| Maryland | 1,980 | $53,730 | $25.83 | |
| Massachusetts | 2,120 | $60,900 | $29.28 | |
| Michigan | 4,130 | $48,050 | $23.10 | |
| Minnesota | 2,370 | $61,670 | $29.65 | |
| Mississippi | 1,130 | $40,250 | $19.35 | |
| Missouri | 1,570 | $48,150 | $23.15 | |
| Montana | 510 | $49,630 | $23.86 | |
| Nebraska | 680 | $49,710 | $23.90 | |
| Nevada | 1,110 | $65,180 | $31.34 | |
| New Hampshire | 450 | $53,460 | $25.70 | |
| New Jersey | 2,510 | $57,900 | $27.84 | |
| New Mexico | 740 | $44,820 | $21.55 | |
| New York | 5,720 | $60,350 | $29.02 | |
| North Carolina | 3,600 | $46,410 | $22.31 | |
| North Dakota | 380 | $51,470 | $24.75 | |
| Ohio | 3,830 | $50,640 | $24.35 | |
| Oklahoma | 1,740 | $45,490 | $21.87 | |
| Oregon | 1,290 | $61,380 | $29.51 | |
| Pennsylvania | 3,720 | $50,430 | $24.25 | |
| Rhode Island | 140 | $60,260 | $28.97 | |
| South Carolina | 2,470 | $46,390 | $22.30 | |
| South Dakota | 590 | $45,100 | $21.68 | |
| Tennessee | 2,170 | $47,700 | $22.93 | |
| Texas | 10,820 | $52,950 | $25.46 | |
| Utah | 1,170 | $47,390 | $22.78 | |
| Vermont | 80 | $46,350 | $22.29 | |
| Virginia | 1,720 | $53,520 | $25.73 | |
| Washington | 2,200 | $61,050 | $29.35 | |
| West Virginia | 630 | $40,290 | $19.37 | |
| Wisconsin | 2,330 | $57,760 | $27.77 | |
| Wyoming | 270 | $45,570 | $21.91 |
Education
The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of pathologists, to assist in the performance of autopsies, obtaining and preparing surgical specimens, preparing autopsy reports, and interacting with other clinicians, officials, and individuals. Includes instruction in anatomy; physiology; medical terminology; general, systemic, forensic, and pediatric pathology; autopsy procedures; surgical technique; medical photography; tissue preparation; record keeping and laboratory administration; interpersonal skills; and applicable standards and regulations.
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of physicians and surgical nurses, to maintain, monitor, and enforce the sterile field and adherence to aseptic technique by preoperative, surgical team, and postoperative personnel. Includes instruction in instrument and equipment sterilization and handling, surgical supplies management, wound exposure and closure, surgical computer and robot operation and monitoring, maintenance of hemostasis, and patient and team scrubbing.
A program that prepares individuals to clean, sterilize, and assemble surgical instruments, equipment, and supplies for use in operating rooms and other medical and surgical facilities. Includes instruction in sterilization; infection control; decontamination; and surgical instrumentation processing, distribution, and record-keeping.
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$53,590 per yearNational average salaryModerateJob growth rate
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Postsecondary nondegree awardTypical education requirement
Educational Attainment
The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as surgical technologists.
- Less than high school 1%
- High school graduate 12%
- College dropout 33%
- Associate’s degree 40%
- Bachelor’s degree 12%
- Master’s degree 1%
- Doctorate degree 0%
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