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.
Surgical Technologists
SOC: 29-2055 O*NET: 29-2055.00
Median Salary
$62,830
per year
Job Growth
📈 4.5%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
7
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
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.
What does a Surgical Technologists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$43,290
10th percentile
Early Career
$51,740
25th percentile
Median
$62,830
50th percentile
Experienced
$77,140
75th percentile
Top Earners
$90,700
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$43,290
25th
$51,740
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$62,830
Mean: $65,810
75th
$77,140
90th
$90,700
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $47,410 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $51,740 and $77,140
- •Salary spread is 40.4% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 113,890 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:115,600
Top Industries
Hospitals60.6%
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals59.4%
Ambulatory Health Care Services24.5%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+4.5%
Annual Openings:7,000
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)115,600
Current
2034 (Projected)120,800
+4.5%
+5,200
Employment Change
+4.5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Surgical Technologists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
10,570 jobs$81,1200.79x
Texas
9,870 jobs$62,6400.96x
Florida
8,620 jobs$61,0301.19x
New York
5,910 jobs$75,2500.84x
Pennsylvania
4,710 jobs$61,7701.06x
Georgia
4,100 jobs$60,8801.14x
Michigan
3,910 jobs$62,3201.20x
Ohio
3,800 jobs$60,3600.93x
Illinois
3,730 jobs$62,5100.83x
North Carolina
3,720 jobs$58,7101.03x
Wisconsin
2,770 jobs$65,8701.28x
New Jersey
2,720 jobs$71,3700.87x
Indiana
2,610 jobs$61,6101.11x
Alabama
2,610 jobs$48,9201.69x
South Carolina
2,480 jobs$60,7801.48x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Monitoring
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Operations Monitoring
86%
#4
Critical Thinking
80%
#5
Time Management
74%
#6
Coordination
66%
#7
Speaking
60%
#8
Service Orientation
54%
#9
Management of Material Resources
46%
#10
Equipment Maintenance
40%
Skills Overview
Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Operations Monitoring
intermediate4.3
86%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Time Management
intermediate3.7
74%
Coordination
intermediate3.3
66%
Speaking
intermediate3.0
60%
Service Orientation
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Operations Monitoring
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Time Management
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Service Orientation
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Management of Material Resources
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Equipment Maintenance
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Brickmasons and Blockmasons64%
5 shared skills
Roofers64%
5 shared skills
Fence Erectors60%
5 shared skills
Bus Drivers, School58%
5 shared skills
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity58%
5 shared skills
Parking Enforcement Workers58%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Coordination
- →Speaking
- →Service Orientation
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Surgical Technologists
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
MEDITECH software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
MEDITECH software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
16
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (5)Management & Supervision (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (6)Operations & Execution (1)Analysis & Evaluation (2)Training & Development (1)
1
Count sponges, needles, and instruments before and after operation.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Hand instruments and supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors and cut sutures, and perform other tasks as directed by surgeon during operation.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision97% perform98%
3
Scrub arms and hands and assist the surgical team to scrub and put on gloves, masks, and surgical clothing.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Provide technical assistance to surgeons, surgical nurses, or anesthesiologists.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Wash and sterilize equipment, using germicides and sterilizers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Prepare, care for, and dispose of tissue specimens taken for laboratory analysis.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform90%
7
Prepare dressings or bandages and apply or assist with their application following surgery.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Operate, assemble, adjust, or monitor sterilizers, lights, suction machines, or diagnostic equipment to ensure proper operation.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution79% perform86%
9
Monitor and continually assess operating room conditions, including patient and surgical team needs.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation76% perform84%
10
Observe patients' vital signs to assess physical condition.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •44% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Surgical Technologists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Surgical Technologists professionals typically have a RCS Holland code and highly value relationships
RRealistic
CConventional
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Surgical Technologists
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.70
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.65
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.58
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.57
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.49
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.36
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.7
Dependability
4.7
Self-Control
4.6
Integrity
4.6
Stress Tolerance
4.5
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.4
Concern for Others
4.3
Initiative
4.3
Independence
4.3
Cooperation
4.2
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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