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Surgical technologist: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$64,650median pay per year, or $31.08 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $45,940lowest 10% earn less
  2. $54,69025th percentile
  3. $64,650median
  4. $79,75075th percentile
  5. $96,940top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

Surgical technologists help surgeons in the operating room, and they earned a median of $64,650 a year in May 2025[1]. The usual way in is a certificate or associate's degree program rather than a four-year degree, and jobs are projected to grow 5% by 2035[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+5%[2]
Openings per year
7,100[6]
Typical entry education
Postsecondary nondegree award[7]

How much do surgical technologists make?

The median wage for surgical technologists was $64,650 a year, or $31.08 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of workers earned more than that and half earned less[1]. For comparison, the median for all occupations in the US was $50,980[5].

The mean (average) wage was a bit higher, at $68,710 a year or $33.03 an hour[8]. The median is the middle point, while the mean is the plain average of all wages[1][8].

Pay covers a wide range. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $45,940 a year, and the top 10% earned more than $96,940[4]. These percentiles are boundaries, not a starting salary, since BLS does not publish starting pay[9].

Percentile Annual Hourly
10th[4][10] $45,940 $22.09
25th[4][10] $54,690 $26.29
Median[1] $64,650 $31.08
75th[4][10] $79,750 $38.34
90th[4][10] $96,940 $46.61
All occupations, median[5] $50,980

These figures cover workers paid a wage or salary, full time and part time[11]. They leave out self-employed people, and they do not include benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions[11].

Pay by state and city

Hawaii had the highest state median for surgical technologists, at $82,640[12]. Oregon ($81,390) and California ($81,310) came next, followed by Massachusetts ($80,870) and Alaska ($80,380)[12]. At the other end of the list, West Virginia had the lowest median at $49,110, just below Alabama ($49,420) and Mississippi ($49,810)[12].

The most jobs were in California (11,920), Texas (10,160), Florida (9,120), New York (6,540) and Pennsylvania (4,490)[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, the top medians were all in California: San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara at $106,840, Vallejo at $105,260, Santa Rosa-Petaluma at $99,960 and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont at $99,390[14]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs, 6,320, with a median of $84,120[15]. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (3,440 jobs) and Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington (2,790 jobs) followed[15].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Hawaii[12]$82,640290
Oregon$81,3901,090
California$81,31011,920
Massachusetts$80,8702,220
Alaska$80,380310
Minnesota$80,2101,770
Connecticut$79,8901,220
New York$79,5506,540
District of Columbia$77,520340
Washington$77,2702,510
New Jersey$77,2002,780
Colorado$75,7402,100
Nevada$75,4801,110
New Hampshire$75,040370
Rhode Island$74,130240
Wisconsin$74,1202,180
Idaho$72,5501,100
Arizona$72,2602,410
Maryland$68,9701,880
Virginia$67,5801,910
Texas$65,22010,160
Illinois$64,6503,570
Indiana$64,2402,680
Georgia$64,0104,380
Nebraska$63,880770
Michigan$63,3203,840
Maine$62,860470
Utah$62,7201,170
Pennsylvania$62,6804,490
Florida$62,4409,120
Ohio$62,4203,730
Delaware$62,250340
South Carolina$62,1602,680
North Dakota$61,640370
Oklahoma$61,1901,940
Missouri$61,1202,100
Montana$60,970490
North Carolina$60,9204,400
Vermont$60,660140
Kansas$60,6001,200
Iowa$60,540950
Tennessee$60,5303,310
Kentucky$60,4901,440
South Dakota$59,870600
Wyoming$58,850210
Arkansas$57,4001,640
Louisiana$57,3702,230
New Mexico$51,780540
Mississippi$49,8101,110
Alabama$49,4202,480
West Virginia$49,110580

How to become a surgical technologist

BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the typical education to enter this job, with no prior work experience and no on-the-job training typically needed[7]. The training details below come from a BLS profile that covers surgical technologists together with related occupations, such as surgical assistants[16].

1) Finish an accredited program: the usual credential is a certificate or an associate's degree[3]. Programs are offered at many community colleges and vocational schools, and at some universities and hospitals[17]. 2) Learn the science and the practical skills: coursework includes anatomy, microbiology and physiology, along with patient care and safety, sterilization, infection control and setting up technical or robotic equipment[18]. 3) Get supervised clinical practice: students work in real clinical settings under supervision as part of their training[18]. 4) Think about certification: it can help you find a job, and some employers require it[19]. Earning it usually means finishing an accredited program or a military training program and then passing an exam[20]. 5) Get CPR or basic life support certification: many jobs ask for one or both[20]. 6) Check your state's rules: some states regulate this work, so your state licensing agency is the place to ask[21].

Some surgical technologists later get extra on-the-job training and become first assistants[22]. Surgical assistants, a related occupation, had a median wage of $66,800[23].

O*NET places the job in its medium preparation group, Job Zone Three[24]. The job also calls for clear communication, close attention to detail, good hand skills, honesty and careful listening[25][26][27][28][29].

What surgical technologists do

Surgical technologists help during operations under the direction of surgeons, registered nurses and other surgical staff[30]. On the job they are often called scrub techs, OR techs or CSTs[31]. Typical tasks include:

Where they work

In the operating room, these workers wear scrubs, sterile gowns, gloves, caps and masks[33]. The work can be hard on the body. You may stand for long stretches, lift heavy trays of supplies or help move patients[33]. You may also be exposed to infectious diseases and to unpleasant sights and smells[33].

BLS reports that surgical technologists have one of the highest injury and illness rates of any occupation[34]. Injuries can come from slips, falls and overexertion, and safe lifting and slip-resistant shoes lower the risk[34].

Most people in this wider group work full time[35]. Those in hospitals may work or be on call at night, on weekends and on holidays, and some shifts run longer than 8 hours[35].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of surgical technologists to grow 5% from 2025 to 2035[2]. That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations[36]. The number of jobs is expected to rise from about 118,400 to 124,300, a gain of about 5,900[2].

About 7,100 openings are expected each year on average[6]. These openings include jobs left by people who retire or move into other work, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, about 2.6% of workers are expected to leave the labor force and 2.8% to switch to a different occupation[37].

The projection count of 118,400 includes self-employed workers[2]. The wage survey count of 117,460 covers only wage and salary jobs[38].

Is it a good fit?

The facts suggest this job may suit someone who wants to work in surgery without a four-year degree, since the typical entry credential is a postsecondary nondegree award[7]. The median pay of $64,650 is above the all-occupations median of $50,980[1][5]. Growth is projected at 5%, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[2][36]. On the other side, the work is physically demanding and has a high injury rate[33][34], and hospital jobs can involve nights, weekends and on-call time[35].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[23].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a surgical technologist make an hour?
The median hourly wage was $31.08 in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $22.09 an hour and the top 10% earned more than $46.61[10].
What is the highest paying state for surgical technologists?
Hawaii had the highest state median, $82,640 a year[12]. Oregon and California followed closely[12].
What degree do you need to be a surgical technologist?
BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the typical entry education[7]. Workers in this field usually have a certificate or an associate's degree from an accredited program[3][17].
Do you need to be certified to be a surgical technologist?
Not always, but some employers require certification and it can help you get hired[19]. It usually takes an accredited program or military training and a passed exam[20]. Some states also regulate the work[21].
Are surgical technologists in demand?
BLS projects 5% growth from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% for all occupations[2][36]. About 7,100 openings are expected each year[6].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Surgical Technologists in the US was $64,650 per year and $31.08 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Surgical Technologists is projected to grow 5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 118,400 to 124,300 jobs (a change of +5,900). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Surgical Technologists: 10th percentile $45,940, 25th percentile $54,690, 75th percentile $79,750, 90th percentile $96,940. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 7,100 openings for Surgical Technologists are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Surgical Technologists: education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Surgical Technologists was $68,710 per year and $33.03 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Surgical Technologists: 10th percentile $22.09, 25th percentile $26.29, 75th percentile $38.34, 90th percentile $46.61. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Surgical Technologists in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Surgical Technologists jobs: California 11,920; Texas 10,160; Florida 9,120; New York 6,540; Pennsylvania 4,490. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Surgical Technologists (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $106,840; Vallejo, CA $105,260; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $99,960; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $99,390; Urban Honolulu, HI $87,330; Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $86,790; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $84,120; Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $83,580. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Surgical Technologists jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 6,320 (median $84,120); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 3,440 (median $81,580); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 2,790 (median $79,990); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 2,660 (median $71,050); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 2,530 (median $66,360); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 2,400 (median $67,570). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Surgical Assistants and Technologists" covers Surgical Technologists together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET 29-2055.00: Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. O*NET OnLine
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. O*NET description of Surgical Technologists. O*NET OnLine
  31. O*NET 29-2055.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Central Supply Technician (Central Supply Tech), Certified Scrub Technician (Certified Scrub Tech), CST (Certified Surgical Technologist), OR Surgical Tech (Operating Room Surgical Technician), OR Tech (Operating Room Technician), OR Technologist (Operating Room Technologist), Scrub Technician (Scrub Tech), Scrub Technologist (Scrub Tech). O*NET OnLine
  32. O*NET task list for Surgical Technologists. O*NET OnLine
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  37. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Surgical Technologists: 2.6% of workers leave the labor force each year and 2.8% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  38. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 117,460 people were employed as Surgical Technologists in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.