Surgical Technology

Earning potential
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the national median annual earnings of surgical technologists were $35,920 in 2005. Shift differential and on-call pay provide additional income. Full-time hospital surgical technologists receive full healthcare benefits, vacation time off, and retirement plans.

Employment opportunities
Hospitals will continue to be the primary employer of surgical technologists, although much faster employment growth is expected in offices of physicians and in outpatient care centers, including ambulatory surgical centers.

Job outlook
Employment of surgical technologists is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2014 as the volume of surgery increases.

Career advancement
Technologists advance by specializing in a particular area of surgery, such as neurosurgery or open heart surgery. With additional training and/or experience, you may advance by becoming a surgical first assistant or a private “scrub” for a surgeon.

Career choices with your certificate or degree
• Central supply technologist
• OB/delivery surgical technologist
• Oral surgery office technologist
• Operating room surgical technologist
• Surgery center technologist
• Surgical scheduler

With experience and/or further education you may go on to:
• Advanced clinical practitioner, specialized
• Laser/endoscopic technician
• Medical sales representative
• Surgical first assistant
• Surgical registered nurse
• Tissue/organ procurement and transplant technician