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Healthcare career
Surgical Technologist
Also called: Surgical Tech · Scrub Tech · Operating Room Technician · Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)
What surgical technologists do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a surgical technologist do?
Surgical technologists prepare operating rooms, set up sterile instruments and equipment, pass instruments and supplies to surgeons during procedures, and maintain the sterile field to protect patients from infection. The median pay is $64,650 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 12–24 months, and employment is projected to grow +5.0% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$64,650$31.08/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+5.0%2025–35, faster than average
- Openings per year7,100Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationPostsecondary nondegree awardBLS classification
- Time to train12–24 monthsTypical program length
- U.S. jobs118,400Employment, 2025
What surgical technologists do
Surgical technologists, often called scrub techs, are the guardians of the sterile field. Before surgery they gather and inspect instruments and supplies, scrub in, gown and glove, and arrange the back table and Mayo stand. During the operation they anticipate what the surgeon needs next, handle specimens and keep count of every sponge, sharp and instrument.
Training usually happens through a certificate or associate degree program of one to two years that includes extensive clinical rotations in real operating rooms. Many employers require or prefer the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential.
Typical duties
- Prepare operating rooms with sterile instruments, equipment and supplies
- Perform surgical scrub and gown and glove themselves and the surgical team
- Set up and maintain the sterile field throughout the procedure
- Pass instruments, sutures and supplies to the surgeon, anticipating needs
- Perform counts of sponges, sharps and instruments with the circulator
- Handle and label surgical specimens
- Break down the field and send instruments for reprocessing
Work environment and schedule
Most surgical technologists work in hospital operating rooms; others work in outpatient surgery centers and physicians’ offices that perform surgery. They stand for long periods, wear scrubs, masks and gowns, and must stay alert during long cases.
Schedule: Usually full-time. Hospitals require on-call coverage for emergency surgeries on nights, weekends and holidays; outpatient centers keep more regular daytime hours.
A day in the life
- Check the surgeon’s preference card, pull instrument trays and verify sterility indicators.
- Scrub, gown and glove, open sterile supplies and organize the back table and Mayo stand.
- Perform the initial count with the circulating nurse and participate in the surgical time out.
- Assist in a laparoscopic gallbladder removal, passing instruments and managing the camera cords.
See a full day in the life of a surgical technologist →
Surgical Technologist salary
Half of surgical technologists earned more than $64,650 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $45,940 for the lowest 10% to $96,940 for the top 10%.
Full surgical technologist pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a surgical technologist
- Finish high school
- Complete an accredited program
- Complete clinical cases
- Pass the CST exam
- Specialize and advance
Most surgical technologists complete a postsecondary certificate (about 12 to 18 months) or an associate degree (about two years) from a program accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES, including supervised clinical cases.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a surgical technologist →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Aseptic technique and sterile field maintenance
- Surgical instrument identification
- Surgical counts
- Gowning and gloving
- Specimen handling
People skills
- Anticipating needs
- Focus and stamina
- Calm under pressure
- Precise communication
All surgical technologist skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Exciting, high-stakes teamwork in the OR
- Training in one to two years
- Good pay for the training time
- Opportunities to specialize in heart, neuro, ortho or other surgeries
Cons
- Long periods of standing in one position
- On-call shifts for emergency cases
- High-pressure environment with little room for error
- Exposure to blood, fumes and sharp instruments
Certifications and licenses
- CST (NBSTSA): Certified Surgical Technologist from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.
- TS-C (NCCT): Tech in Surgery – Certified from the National Center for Competency Testing.
- BLS / CPR: Required by most employers.
- CSFA: Certified Surgical First Assistant: an advanced credential with additional training.
Career path
- Surgical Technologist: Maintain the sterile field and assist the surgical team.
- Specialty or Lead Surgical Tech: Focus on cardiac, neuro or orthopedic surgery, or lead a team.
- Certified Surgical First Assistant: Assist directly with exposure, hemostasis and closure.
- RN, OR Educator or Sterile Processing Manager: Move into nursing, education or perioperative leadership.
Learn the job before day one
Our Surgical Technologist training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as perform a surgical hand scrub and gown and glove using closed gloving, safety and how to land your first job.
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Surgical Technologist FAQ
Is surgical tech school hard?
It’s demanding: you’ll learn anatomy, microbiology, hundreds of instruments and sterile technique, and complete real surgical cases. Most programs take 12 to 24 months.
Do surgical technologists need certification?
Some states require certification or registration, and many employers prefer or require the CST regardless of state law.
Can surgical techs become nurses or surgical assistants?
Yes. Many surgical techs go on to nursing school or train as certified surgical first assistants.
How much does a surgical technologist make?
The median annual wage for surgical technologists was $64,650 ($31.08 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $45,940 and the highest 10% earned more than $96,940.
How long does it take to become a surgical technologist?
Most people need about 12–24 months of training. Most surgical technologists complete a postsecondary certificate (about 12 to 18 months) or an associate degree (about two years) from a program accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES, including supervised clinical cases.
Do you need a degree to be a surgical technologist?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “postsecondary nondegree award” as the typical entry-level education.
More surgical technologist questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 29-2055 (Surgical technologists).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Surgical technologists (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.