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.
Also called: Central Supply Technician (Central Supply Tech), Certified Scrub Technician (Certified Scrub Tech), CST (Certified Surgical Technologist), CVOR Technologist (Cardiovascular Operating Room Technologist), OR Surgical Tech (Operating Room Surgical Technician), OR Surgical Technologist (Operating Room Surgical Technologist)
Median pay
$64,650
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$45,940 – $96,940
People employed
117,460
Holland code
RCS
Realistic · Conventional · Social
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 2.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 3.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 4.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 5.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 6.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 7.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
- Exposure to disease or infection
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
Surgical Technologists pay by state
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What surgical technologists do
- 01Maintain a proper sterile field during surgical procedures.
- 02Count sponges, needles, and instruments before and after operation.
- 03Hand instruments and supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors and cut sutures, and perform other tasks as directed by surgeon during operation.
- 04Scrub arms and hands and assist the surgical team to scrub and put on gloves, masks, and surgical clothing.
- 05Wash and sterilize equipment, using germicides and sterilizers.
- 06Prepare patients for surgery, including positioning patients on the operating table and covering them with sterile surgical drapes to prevent exposure.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Learning Strategies
- Critical Thinking
Knowledge
- Medicine and Dentistry
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- Production and Processing
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Cooperation
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from surgical technologists
- Surgical Assistants82% · +3%
- Radiation Therapists82% · +63%
- Respiratory Therapists77% · +27%
- Endoscopy Technicians77% · group pay
- Embalmers68% · −9%
Change into surgical technologists
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Endoscopy Technicians84% · $48,430
- Surgical Assistants82% · $66,800
- Dental Assistants79% · $48,070
- Embalmers75% · $58,780
- Medical Equipment Preparers75% · $47,700
Majors that lead here
- Pathology/Pathologist Assistant
- Surgical Technology/Technologist
- Sterile Processing Technology/Technician
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.