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Which studies lead to becoming a Surgical Technologist?

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Medical & WelfareGrowingBright Outlook

Surgical Technologist

Operational-level

Also known as: Certified Surgical Technician, Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), Operating Room Surgical Technician (OR St), Operating Room Surgical Technologist

Medical & WelfareBachelor's Degree

Job Description

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 TechnologyOperating Room SupportSurgical AssistingMedical InstrumentsHealthcarePatient CareMedical SupportLogisticsMedical Careers

A Day in the Life

You arrive at City General Hospital at 6:30 AM, changing into your crisp teal scrubs. The morning hustle has already begun. You check the OR board, noting your assignment: Room 4, first up is a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Heading to your assigned room, you greet Maria, the circulating nurse, who's already prepping the anesthesia machine. You begin to methodically gather supplies, unwrapping sterile drapes and opening instrument sets, ensuring everything from scalpels to suction tubing is accounted for on your back table.

Skills employers are looking for in 2027

Software and technologies flagged by O*NET as Hot or In-Demand for this role.

Hot technologies
MEDITECH softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft Word

Job Outlook 2025-2035

Bright Outlook

O*NET flags this career as a Bright Outlook occupation: grows rapidly over the next decade.

Projected growth

+5%

US average: +3.5%

Job openings

7,100

per year (US)

Jobs today

118,400

in 2025 → 124,300 (2035)

Typical entry education

Postsecondary nondegree award

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections; O*NET Bright Outlook. Read the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

Work Environment

How this work is typically performed, based on O*NET work context data.

Email & digital communication
Moderate
Working in a team
High
Contact with others
High
Freedom to make decisions
Moderate
Time pressure
High
Time spent sitting
Low
Working outdoors
Low
Indoor, climate-controlled
High
Dealing with customers
High
Level of competition
Moderate

Source: O*NET Work Context (v31.0)

Future Perspective

Growing Job Market

This career has a "Bright Outlook" and is growing, with about 7,100 job openings expected each year through 2035, and employment projected to grow by 5.0% over the next decade. Many surgical technologists earn around $64,650 per year. With experience, you can advance into roles like a Surgical First Assistant or become an Operating Room Manager.

Career ladder

Often before this role

  • Sterile Processing Technician
  • Patient Care Technician
  • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Where it can lead

  • Surgical First Assistant
  • Registered Nurse (RN)
  • Operating Room Manager

Impact of AI on this Job

AI will likely enhance surgical technologists' roles by improving inventory management and optimizing operating room logistics through predictive analytics. While AI might automate some pre-operative checks or data tasks, the critical hands-on assistance, instrument handling, and direct patient interaction provided by human technologists will remain indispensable for successful surgical outcomes.

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Salary

$64,650

Median annual wage, BLS 2025

Required Education

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum educational requirement for this position

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Based on job level & field

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