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Surgical technologists can be said to work at the literal “cutting edge” of medicine, as they work in the high-stakes surgical environment. While the field of medicine is vast and varied, surgery remains among the most complex and fast-paced areas, as it often involves high-pressure situations and the need for split-second decision-making on the part of doctors, surgeons, and other medical professionals.
Surgical technologists are responsible for many tasks in the operating room, from preparing the surgery site to dealing with the patient and their needs. Additionally, surgical technologists play a vital role during many surgeries, by passing equipment to the surgeon, and ensuring that the equipment in use is properly sterilized and stored after its use.
Often, surgical technologists are the first to arrive in the operating room, and the last to leave it once a surgical procedure has concluded. As such, they are in frequent demand, and good surgical technologists are highly regarded by their colleagues in the hospital environment.
But what benefits does a career as a surgical technologist offer an interested individual? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025), the “surgical assistants and technologists” job category forecasts a healthy 4 percent job growth between 2024 and 2034.
As a career that does not require a bachelor’s degree but can be attained by the completion of a certificate program or associate degree, becoming a surgical technologist is a great entry point into the medical world, as well as a perfect option for individuals who are more interested in hands-on work than in the long and highly theoretical education that is necessary to become a surgeon or medical doctor.
But how to go about starting a career in this field? What options are available to individuals who are certified surgical technologists? This guide is intended to help orient people interested in surgical technology and point out some interesting aspects of this career.
Become a Surgical Technologist
Surgical technologists work in nearly every operating room nationwide, providing a vital link between surgeons and patients. They oversee many important processes in creating a safe and efficient surgical environment and act as an essential assistant to the surgeon or medical doctor overseeing a procedure. In highly complex surgeries such as transplants, multiple surgical technologists may work simultaneously to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients. Surgical assistants may cut sutures and wash and dress wounds as well.
Specializations for Surgical Technologists
While all surgical technologists and assistants undergo the same training and certification process, some individuals may want to specialize in a particular area of surgery once they have completed their studies, or later on as they become more comfortable in their role. Some of the specializations available include the following:
- Cardiovascular
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Orthopedic
- Neurology
- Reconstructive
Demand & Career Outlook for Surgical Technologists
The future looks very bright for surgical technologists. As proof of point, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2025) projects a 4 percent increase nationally in job openings in this field between 2024 and 2034, faster than the average anticipated growth for all occupations during that period (3 percent). With the expected addition of 5,200 surgical technologist positions nationwide, there will be ample professional opportunities in this field in the decade to come.
How Much Do Surgical Technologists Make?
According to the BLS (May 2024), the 113,890 surgical technologists nationwide had an annual average salary of $65,810. In more detail, here are the salary percentiles of surgical technologists across the US—the latest data available as of April 2026:
| United States | |
|---|---|
| Number employed in the U.S. | 113,890 |
| Average Annual Salary | $65,810 |
| 10th Percentile | $43,290 |
| 25th Percentile | $51,740 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $62,830 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,140 |
| 90th Percentile | $90,700 |
Education
Surgical technologist is a certified profession in the United States, meaning that individuals who wish to enter this field must attain specific training and education and certification to perform this role. Certification for this career is handled by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). Below are some educational programs that can lead to a job as a surgical technologist.
San Juan College is located in Farmington, New Mexico, and offers its students the opportunity to complete an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in surgical technology. San Juan College boasts a full operating theater where students can practice their skills in a real-world setting and multiple corporations with local medical facilities.
The learning objectives of the San Juan College program for surgical technology are preparing instruments, preparing surgical suites, assisting physicians and surgeons in their work, and aseptic and decontamination techniques. Prospective students at San Juan may particularly benefit from the generous scholarships that the state of New Mexico offers to its residents.
The program comprises 60 to 64 credits.
- Location: Farmington, NM
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two and a half years
Carrington College offers the AAS degree in surgical technology at five California campuses and one campus in Arizona.
Students learn basic surgical procedures, surgical case management, advanced surgical procedures, and introduction to surgical technology. They will become familiar with human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and pharmacology as they relate to surgical procedures. They will also gain the skills they need to apply aseptic techniques in a variety of settings, safe handling of instruments, surgical supplies, and direct patient care, among others.
The program requires 60 credits to complete.
- Location: Bakersfield, Fresno, Rancho Cordova, San Jose, and Temecula, CA; Phoenix, AZ
- Accreditation: Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Expected Time to Completion: 15 months
Monroe University is a New York-based college with 2 campuses in that state and another one on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia. Monroe offers an associate in applied science degree in surgical technology with a strong emphasis on clinical work.
According to its website, Monroe College’s admissions requirements include submitting an application and all necessary starting paperwork, paying the application fee, submitting a high school diploma or equivalent, and completing an interview with an admissions counselor or staff member. While Monroe College does not have a minimum required GPA for admission, it does place heavy emphasis on the outcome of an admissions interview.
This AAS degree requires 67 credits of coursework that include 37 credits of major area courses and 30 credits of liberal arts and science courses. Moreover, students will also have the opportunity to work directly with health professionals while training. Two surgical technology practicum experiences are included as part of the program.
The curriculum includes courses such as medical terminology; pathophysiology; introduction to surgical technology; orientation to perioperative services; surgical procedures; and pharmacology and anesthesia.
- Location: New Rochelle, NY
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Expected Time to Completion: Four semesters
Austin Community College is located in Texas’ bustling capital and offers a myriad of associate programs, including in the allied health professions. ACC emphasizes placement in local medical institutions and hosts a well-connected financial aid office which may aid students in mitigating the financial burden of their education at the school.
The surgical technology program at Austin Community College prepares graduates to assist in surgeries and helps them learn about surgical equipment preparations, the fundamentals of the surgical environment, operating room procedures, and handling specimens. The 60-credit curriculum includes courses such as introduction to surgical technology; fundamentals of perioperative concepts and techniques; clinical – surgical technology/technologist: beginning; technological sciences for the surgical technologist; surgical procedures; and introduction to psychology.
Graduates will be eligible to take the national credentialing examination administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).
- Location: Austin, TX
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
Mt. Hood Community College is located in Oregon, and named for the famous mountain that is one of that state’s most famous landmarks. MHCC’s “surgical technology, perioperative nursing for the RN and sterile processing technician” degree plan is one of the only two accredited programs for surgical technologists in Oregon, making this the best choice for prospective students looking to stay in or relocate to this state. MTCC accepts 24 students a year and has a minimum GPA requirement for the necessary prerequisite courses.
The 92-credit curriculum includes courses such as surgical technology theory; medical terminology; surgical technology – general and pediatric surgery; surgical technology – obstetric, gynecologic and genitourinary surgery; surgical technology – orthopedic surgery; surgical technology – otorhino- laryngologic, oromaxillofacial, plastic and burn surgery; surgical technology – ophthalmologic and neurosurgery; and surgical technology – thoracic, cardiovascular and vascular surgery.
- Location: Gresham, OR
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU); Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP); Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
Stark State College offers an AAS degree in surgical technology that CAAHEP accredits. Students learn how to prepare operating rooms for surgery, select and open sterile supplies, and provide patient care, which can include emotional support, observing vital signs, and positioning the patient.
This 62 to 63-credit program includes courses such as principles of surgery, surgical pharmacology, surgical anatomy and pathology, surgical specialities, medical terminology, human diseases, and principles of microbiology, among others. Students also complete clinical practicums and a capstone project. Graduates are qualified to sit for the NBSTSA certification exam.
- Location: North Canton, OH
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years
The surgical technology AAS degree program at Concorde Career College includes 300 lab hours and 580 clinical hours with classroom instruction, for a total of 68 credit hours. The clinical hours include 120 surgical cases. Although the college has 17 campuses in several states, currently the surgical technology program is not available at all locations.
The coursework includes topics such as aseptic techniques, sterilization, operating room environmental safety, anatomy and physiology, instrument identification, speciality procedures, pharmacology, foundations for health professionals,and others. Students learn the skills needed to help prepare patients for surgery and to assist during surgical procedures, and more. Graduates are prepared for employment in settings that include hospitals, clinics, and private practice.
- Location: San Bernardino, CA
- Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
- Expected Time to Completion: 17 months
Become a Surgical Assistant
Surgical assistants perform similar roles to surgical technologists but perform a more tightly prescribed function in some environments. As opposed to surgical technologists, surgical assistants often are not responsible for cutting sutures or other direct contact with patient wounds. Like surgical technologists, they are responsible for sterilizing equipment, operating surfaces, and the surgery site itself.
Specializations for Surgical Assistants
Candidates interested in working closely with surgeons must consider pursuing careers as surgical assistants. Requiring some previous experience as EMTs, operating room scrubs, or surgical technologists, this degree prepares graduates for surgery assistance.
Different surgeries have different skill and knowledge requirements, so surgical assistants and technologists often focus on specific specializations. These include:
- Neurosurgery
- Cardiac surgery
- Urology
- Plastic surgery
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Demand & Career Outlook for Surgical Assistants
The future looks very bright for surgical assistants. As proof of point, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2025) projects a 5 percent increase nationally in job openings in this field between 2024 and 2034, faster than the average anticipated growth for all occupations during that period (3 percent).
How Much Do Surgical Assistants Make?
According to the BLS (May 2024), the 22,860 surgical assistants nationwide had an annual average salary of $67,190. In more detail, here are the salary percentiles of surgical assistants across the US:
| United States | |
|---|---|
| Number employed in the U.S. | 22,860 |
| Average Annual Salary | $67,190 |
| 10th Percentile | $39,540 |
| 25th Percentile | $49,140 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $60,290 |
| 75th Percentile | $80,860 |
| 90th Percentile | $102,390 |
Education
Just like surgical technology, surgical assistant is also a certified profession in the United States and individuals who wish to enter this field must attain specific training and education, in addition to a certification to perform this role. Certification for this career is also handled by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). Below are some educational programs that can lead to a job as a surgical assistant. Surgical assistants typically need a certificate or an associate’s degree from an accredited program.
Gulf Coast State College’s associate of science degree in surgical first assisting prepares graduates for the roles of surgical technologist and surgical first assistant.
This 74-credit program includes courses such as anatomy and physiology; surgical tech & procedures; pharmacology & anesthesia; introduction to surgery clinical; surgical procedures; surgical simulation; principles of surgical assisting; advanced integrated surgical sciences; advanced surgical procedures for the surgical assistant; and surgical assisting clinical.
- Location: Panama City, FL
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
The surgical first assistant certificate program offered by the College of DuPage trains graduates to assist in surgical procedures and operations expeditiously and safely. Graduates will be exposed to surgical procedures, hemostasis, closure, and other intraoperative surgical functions that help surgeons carry out safe surgical procedures.
In addition, the program provides graduates with skills and knowledge to perform preoperative and postoperative functions and facilitate proper patient care under the supervision and direction of surgeons. Classes are offered in an online format, and students will be required to attend clinicals in order to complete the 140-case requirement. Additionally, they will be responsible for securing their own clinical site. The program comprises 35 credits.
- Location: Glen Ellyn, IL
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Expected Time to Completion: 12 months or less
Graduates of Delta College’s surgical first assisting post-associate certificate program will be qualified to sit for the national certification (CSFA) through the National Board for Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. This four-semester cohort program starts in the spring. Students come in as a group and take classes together from the first semester until the last. Clinical assignments may be completed at their current place of employment.
Notably, over 50 percent of this program’s curriculum can be completed online, maximizing time management opportunities for full-time working students. Comprising 24 credits, the program includes courses such as principles of surgical assisting; bioscience; advanced surgical anatomy; advanced surgical procedures; and fundamental techniques.
- Location: University Center, MI
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Expected Time to Completion: Four semesters
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science
Mayo Clinic’s twelve-month surgical first assistant program in Rochester, MN, offers one of the best-accredited certificate training programs in the Midwest. Graduates in this program gain an advanced understanding of human anatomy while also refining their surgical skills. This certificate program prepares graduates with the skills and knowledge needed to become effective members of surgical teams with extensive knowledge of surgical procedures while learning this role’s professional standards.
The program includes five months of classroom instruction, lab education, and seven months of clinical experience. The clinical rotations included in the program require experience in a minimum of 240 cases (approximately 1,150 hours) and include the following surgical areas: neurosurgery, orthopedics, genitourinary, trauma, ambulatory, plastics, vascular, robotics, and cardiothoracic. Clinical rotations are primarily conducted at Mayo Clinic’s campus in Rochester with a few weeks at various Mayo Clinic Health System sites.
- Location: Rochester, MN
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Expected Time to Completion: 12 months
