How to Become a Surgical Technologist
Keep operating rooms running: prepare sterile fields, pass instruments, and anticipate the surgical team's next move. It typically requires an associate degree, with a median salary of $64,650 per year and faster than average projected job growth.
Median pay
$64,650/yr
Job growth
5%
Openings / yr
7,000
Majors that lead here
Key skills
- Sterile Technique
- Instrumentation
- Monitoring
- Attention to Detail
- Teamwork
Helpful certifications
- CST (NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist)
Is this career a fit?
Remote-friendly
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Work-life balance
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Stress level
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Satisfaction
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a Surgical Technologist make?
The median pay for a Surgical Technologist is $64,650 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). Actual pay varies with experience, location, and employer.
What degree do you need to become a Surgical Technologist?
The usual entry point is an associate degree. Common majors are Surgical Technology and Health Sciences.
Is Surgical Technologist a growing field?
The BLS projects faster than average demand for this role, about 5% over the decade, with roughly 7,000 U.S. openings a year.
What skills does a Surgical Technologist use most?
Common skills for this role are Sterile Technique, Instrumentation, Monitoring, Attention to Detail, and Teamwork.
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Take the major quizSalary and job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034). National figures; actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.