Your surgical tech career starts with a great pair of gloves. These Medical Gloves offer an excellent balance of tactile sensitivity and protection against blood-borne diseases, while giving you the comfort you need to perform your job efficiently and safely.
Your surgical tech career starts with a great pair of gloves. These Medical Gloves offer an excellent balance of tactile sensitivity and protection against blood-borne diseases, while giving you the comfort you need to perform your job efficiently and safely.
The median annual salary for a surgical technologist is $37,470. The lowest 10 percent of surgical techs earn less than $23,980, and the highest 10 percent earn more than $55,250.
Starting Salary For A Surgical Tech Overview
Surgical technicians are responsible for preparing the operating room, assisting the surgeon and nurse during surgery, and cleaning up after surgery. They also help with pre-surgical procedures such as taking patients’ vital signs and administering anesthesia.
Surgical technician hourly pay can vary widely depending on your location, experience level, and whether you work in an outpatient or inpatient setting. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that surgical technologists earned an average of $39,990 per year in 2018. However, the lowest 10 percent made less than $27,610 per year while the highest 10 percent made more than $60,660 per year.
The average starting salary for a surgical tech is around $32,000 annually but can range between $30,000 and $33,000 depending on experience level and location.
What do surgical technologists do?
Surgical technologists work alongside surgeons and nurses to ensure that surgical procedures run smoothly. Surgical techs are involved in every aspect of an operation and can even assist the surgeon during certain parts of a procedure.
During a typical day, a surgical tech will:
- Set up the operating room. STs are in charge of preparing all the needed supplies and instruments for an operation. They must memorize each surgical procedure so that they know what tools are needed and in what order the surgeon will need them.
- Sterilize surgical equipment. A large part of the ST’s job is to sterilize all the equipment in the operating room, set up sterile drapes, and to make sure that the surgeon and other staff members follow proper aseptic technique. This minimizes the risk of infection after a procedure and ensures a smooth recovery for the patient.
- Prepare the patient. Some STs are called “circulating technologists” and it’s their job to interview and debrief the patient before the procedure. During the surgery, they assist with anesthesia and open packages for other team members to maintain the sterile field.
- Assist during the surgery. During the procedure, STs assist the surgeon by passing instruments, holding retractors and cutting sutures. A circulating ST will keep a written account of the surgical procedure and answer the surgeon’s questions about the patient during the surgery. An experienced ST might also be able to assist with wound closure at the end of a procedure.
- Clean up and prepare for the next procedure. Once the procedure is over, the ST cleans the room and all the equipment and begins preparing for the next operation.
Most surgical techs work on operating room teams in hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities. Some STs are in charge of managing central supply departments in hospitals, or they might take positions with insurance companies, sterile supply services, and operating equipment firms.
How do I become a surgical technologist?
An associate degree in surgical technology is required for entry-level surgical tech positions. After completing an associate degree program, STs must take the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) examination offered by The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.
Herzing University offers an accredited surgical technologist degree program that prepares you for entry-level positions in the operating room. You will also be eligible to take the CST examination after graduation.
Surgical Technologist Salary – How Much Does It Pay?
Surgical technologists can expect to earn a median salary of approximately $44-46,000 annually.
Entry level surgical technologists earn around $38,000.
Surgical technologists on the high end of the wage spectrum may earn up to $67,000.
Rates of pay will depend on region, education level, experience, and type of employer.
Obtaining certification is not always required, but will most likely increase the rate of pay received.
Surgical technologists working in a dental office earn a median wage of $44,760, while those working in outpatient care centers earned a median wage of $48,900.
First surgical assistants will earn a higher rate of pay, due to their advanced specialized training.
Self employed surgical assistants will be able to set their own rate of pay with different clients on a contractual basis.
Best-Paying Cities for Surgical Technologists
The metropolitan areas that pay the highest salary in the surgical technologist profession are San Francisco, San Jose, Vallejo, Santa Rosa, and Sacramento.
San Francisco, California; $79,230
San Jose, California; $74,080
Vallejo, California; $73,460
Santa Rosa, California; $72,170
Sacramento, California; $71,330
