Career comparison
Anesthesiologist vs. Surgical Technologist
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Anesthesiologists earn more at the median ($391,490 vs. $64,650), while surgical technologists usually get to work faster (12–24 months of training). Anesthesiologists keep patients safe and pain-free before, during and after surgery. Surgical technologists prepare the operating room, keep the sterile field and pass instruments to surgeons.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Anesthesiologist | Surgical Technologist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $391,490 ($188.22/hr) | $64,650 ($31.08/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $101,460 – $557,130 | $45,940 – $96,940 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.6% (about as fast as average) | +5.0% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 1,100 | 7,100 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | 12–14 years after high school | 12–24 months |
| Key credential | Board certification (ABA) | CST (NBSTSA) |
| Work setting | Anesthesiologists work in operating rooms, labor and delivery, ICUs, surgery centers and pain clinics.. | Most surgical technologists work in hospital operating rooms; others work in outpatient surgery centers and physicians’ offices that perform surgery. |
What each job does
Anesthesiologist
- Evaluate patients before anesthesia
- Plan and give anesthesia
- Manage airways and breathing
- Monitor vital signs during surgery
- Manage pain after surgery
Surgical Technologist
- 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
How they’re similar
Both careers involve high responsibility, hands-on work, indoor work, and teamwork. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose anesthesiologist if…
- I love physiology and pharmacology
- I stay calm in emergencies
- I want a top-paying career
Choose surgical technologist if…
- I can stand and stay focused for hours at a time
- I’m fascinated by surgery and anatomy
- I can stay calm when things get tense
Still torn? Take the Anesthesiologist fit quiz and the Surgical Technologist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, anesthesiologist or surgical technologist?
Anesthesiologists earn more at the median: $391,490 versus $64,650 for surgical technologists, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Surgical Technologists typically train faster (12–24 months) than anesthesiologists (12–14 years after high school).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects surgical technologists to grow +5.0% from 2025–35, compared with +3.6% for anesthesiologists.