What Surgical Technologists do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Surgical Technologists this way: "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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Count sponges, needles, and instruments before and after operation"; "Hand instruments and supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors and cut sutures, and perform other tasks as directed by surgeon during operation"; "Scrub arms and hands and assist the surgical team to scrub and put on gloves, masks, and surgical clothing"; "Provide technical assistance to surgeons, surgical nurses, or anesthesiologists"; "Wash and sterilize equipment, using germicides and sterilizers".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is postsecondary nondegree award.
Job outlook for Surgical Technologists
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 118,400 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 124,300 in 2035, an increase of 5,900 jobs (+5%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 7,100 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 6.0% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $64,650, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Surgical Technologists earn the most
Across the 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $79,388 in New Jersey to $80,432 in New York, a gap of $1,044 (1.01 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $64,650 and 0 average at or below it.
New Jersey employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 9,020, which is 52.2% of the 17,280 counted across them. New York follows with 8,260.
Highest-paying states
New York ($80,432) and New Jersey ($79,388) lead the ranking, while New Jersey ($79,388) and New York ($80,432) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Occupations related to Surgical Technologists
Pharmacy Technicians and Psychiatric Technicians belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (29-2000) include Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, Radiologic Technologists and Technicians, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses and Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians.
Frequently asked questions about Surgical Technologists
How much do Surgical Technologists earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $64,650. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $79,388 to $80,432.
Which state pays Surgical Technologists the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $80,432. New Jersey is next at $79,388.
Is Surgical Technologists a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 5% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 7,100 openings a year.
What education do Surgical Technologists need?
The typical entry-level education is postsecondary nondegree award, according to BLS.