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Hospitals and health systems
Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, HCA Healthcare
Surgical Technologists
Surgical technologists help prepare the operating room, keep the sterile field intact, and pass instruments to the surgical team during procedures. The work is defined by precision under pressure: everything has to be ready, counted, and clean before anyone can safely start, and the tradeoff is that the job is hands-on, fast-moving, and unforgiving of mistakes.
Also known as Surgical TechSurgical TechnicianOperating Room TechnicianScrub TechScrub Technician
Median Salary
$62,830
Mean $65,810
U.S. Workforce
~114K
7K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+4.5%
115.6K to 120.8K
Entry Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Surgical Technologists sits in the Healthcare category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~114K workers, with a median annual pay of $62,830 and roughly 7K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 115.6 K in 2024 to 120.8K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Associate's degree in surgical technology, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Sterile Processing Technician and can progress toward Operating Room Coordinator. High-value skills usually include Monitoring, Sterile Technique & Aseptic Field Control, and Operating Room Setup & Instrument Prep, paired with soft skills such as Active Listening, Coordination, and Critical Thinking.
Core Responsibilities
- Set up the operating room before a case, placing the right tools, equipment, and supplies where the surgical team expects them.
- Count sponges, needles, and instruments before and after surgery so nothing is left behind.
- Hand instruments and supplies to the surgeon and assistants during the procedure and help with other requested tasks.
- Keep the sterile field clean and watch for anything that could contaminate the surgery area.
Keep exploring: more Healthcare careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Set up the operating room before a case, placing the right tools, equipment, and supplies where the surgical team expects them.
02 Count sponges, needles, and instruments before and after surgery so nothing is left behind.
03 Hand instruments and supplies to the surgeon and assistants during the procedure and help with other requested tasks.
04 Keep the sterile field clean and watch for anything that could contaminate the surgery area.
05 Position the patient on the operating table and cover them with sterile drapes before the procedure starts.
06 Watch the room during the case, restock supplies, and help prepare dressings or bandages after surgery.
Industries That Hire
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Outpatient surgery centers
Surgery Partners, United Surgical Partners International, AmSurg
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Orthopedic and sports medicine clinics
Hospital for Special Surgery, OrthoCarolina, Rothman Orthopaedics
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Children's and specialty hospitals
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Shriners Hospitals for Children
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Academic medical centers
Johns Hopkins Medicine, NYU Langone Health, UCSF Health
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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You can enter the field without years of college: the usual entry point is a postsecondary nondegree award, and the role lists no required work experience or on-the-job training.
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The pay is solid for a shorter-training healthcare job, with a median annual wage of $62,830 and a mean of $65,810.
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The job has steady demand, with about 7.0 thousand annual openings and projected growth of 4.5% from 2024 to 2034.
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The work is concrete and visible: you are directly helping surgeries run safely instead of sitting behind a desk.
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Your skills can transfer across hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, and specialty clinics, which gives you more than one place to work.
Challenges
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The job is physically demanding, with long periods of standing, moving equipment, and staying alert for an entire procedure.
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Small mistakes can have immediate consequences, because maintaining sterility and accurate counts is central to patient safety.
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Growth is only 4.5%, so this is a stable field, not a fast-expanding one with lots of new openings every year.
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Career advancement can plateau unless you add more education or move into supervisory or specialized roles.
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Work is tied to surgical schedules, so early mornings, long cases, and unpredictable end times are common, and the job is rarely remote.
Career Progression
Sterile Processing Technician
0-2 years
$36K-$45K
Starts with cleaning, sterilizing, and organizing instruments so the operating room gets reliable equipment on time.
Surgical Technologist I
1-3 years
$46K-$58K
Works under close supervision, setting up rooms and helping during routine cases while learning the pace of surgery.
Surgical Technologist THIS ROLE
3-6 years
$59K-$72K
Handles full operating room support, including sterile field maintenance, patient prep, counts, and direct help during procedures.
Senior Surgical Technologist
6-10 years
$73K-$86K
Takes on more complex cases, helps train newer staff, and often becomes the go-to person for tight, high-pressure procedures.
Operating Room Coordinator
10+ years
$87K-$102K
Oversees workflows, supply readiness, and team coordination across multiple rooms or surgical specialties.
Education Paths
Associate's degree in surgical technology
The most common route, used by 40.56% of workers in this role.
Postsecondary certificate in surgical technology
A shorter formal training route, chosen by 31.22% of workers.
Some college courses plus formal surgical technology training
A less structured path, reported by 23.24% of workers.
High school diploma plus a certificate or hospital training program
This is uncommon, with only 4.98% of workers entering with a high school diploma alone.
Key Skills
Technical
Monitoring 69%
Sterile Technique & Aseptic Field Control 64%
Operating Room Setup & Instrument Prep 62%
Patient Positioning & Draping 60%
Sponge, Needle & Instrument Counts 58%
Operations Monitoring 56%
Soft Skills
Active ListeningCoordinationCritical ThinkingSpeakingTime ManagementActive Learning Job Outlook and Trends
+4.5%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
7K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 115.6K to 120.8 K over the next decade, representing 4.5% growth. Around 7 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.