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It’s worth noting that while these states offer high surgical tech salary figures, they are also some of the most expensive places to live in the nation. ’s information is slightly more recent than the BLS, but both the BLS and provide reliable information about existing surgical tech pay ranges.Īccording to the BLS (May 2020), the top five paying states for surgical technologists are: Those in the lower 25 earned $42,868, while those in the lowest 10 percent earned $38,508. Those in the upper 25 percent earned as much as $46,308, while those in the upper 10 percent earned as much as $50,488. It reports that in June 2021, surgical techs earned median annual salaries of $47,657. provides similar information about surgical tech pay. Here are the surgical tech salary percentiles (BLS May 2020): While these figures paint a general picture about surgical tech salary, other factors influence salary data, including time on the job, certification, job location, and additional education.
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Those in the top 10 percent earned as much as $73,110, while those in the lowest 10 percent earned as little as $34,120 ( BLS May 2020). The median salary was $49,710, meaning that 50 percent of workers made salaries above this amount and 50 percent earned less than this amount. Read on to learn more about surgical tech salary and career outlook.Īccording to May 2020 data from the BLS, the average annual salary for surgical techs was $51,510.
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The Mayo Clinic shows that surgical techs can stay in this profession for a lifetime or pivot into other careers such as first surgical assistants or registered nurses. The BLS shows the average annual salary for surgical techs is $51,510, which is only 8 percent lower than the average salary for all occupations at $56,310 ( BLS May 2020). Some surgical technologists also become private scrubs, meaning that they work with surgeons and specific teams to accomplish certain purposes, such as organ transplants or pediatric surgery.Ī surgical tech salary varies depending on years of experience and location of employment but remains competitive compared to wages nationwide. Based on hospital needs, surgical techs may work atypical or unique schedules, such as swing or graveyard shifts or even to do 10-hour shifts. Where do surgical techs work? According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 75 percent of surgical technologists are employed in hospitals ( BLS 2021). With certification from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA), surgical techs can work in hospitals, healthcare centers, and clinics throughout the United States. Most surgical technologist programs and training programs only take 12 to 24 months to complete. According to The Mayo Clinic, surgical technologists perform tasks that vary from preparing operating rooms to handing tools and instruments to surgical assistants and surgeons.īecoming a surgical tech is a great entry-level career choice for those who don’t want to invest in multiple years of training and education but want a lucrative healthcare career.
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This team also includes surgeons, anesthesiologists, and registered nurses. Surgical technologists (STs), sometimes referred to as scrubs, are an integral part of a surgical team in an operating room. Why become a surgical tech? Not only do surgical technologists get to work in multiple medical fields, but they also get opportunities to work with advanced healthcare professionals. For detail-oriented clean freaks who aren’t squeamish and who thrive on following health and safety protocols, becoming a surgical technologist, or surgical tech, is an ideal choice for an allied health career. Surgical technology is one of many career paths available in the allied healthcare sector, including numerous occupations, ranging from dental assistants to coding specialists. Certification Guides Career Guides Interviews & Features
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