Career comparison
Licensed Practical Nurse vs. Surgical Technologist
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Surgical technologists earn more at the median ($64,650 vs. $64,400), while licensed practical nurses usually get to work faster (12–18 months of training). Licensed practical nurses give licensed nursing care (meds, wound care and monitoring) in about a year of training. 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
| Licensed Practical Nurse | Surgical Technologist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $64,400 ($30.96/hr) | $64,650 ($31.08/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $49,740 – $83,440 | $45,940 – $96,940 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.0% (about as fast as average) | +5.0% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 51,800 | 7,100 |
| Typical entry education | Postsecondary nondegree award | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | 12–18 months | 12–24 months |
| Key credential | NCLEX-PN license | CST (NBSTSA) |
| Work setting | LPNs work in nursing and residential care facilities, home health, physician offices, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and correctional facilities. | Most surgical technologists work in hospital operating rooms; others work in outpatient surgery centers and physicians’ offices that perform surgery. |
What each job does
Licensed Practical Nurse
- Monitor patients and record vital signs and changes in condition
- Administer oral, topical and injectable medications as permitted by state law
- Provide wound care, change dressings and care for catheters and ostomies
- Collect specimens and perform routine tests such as blood glucose checks
- Update care plans and document care accurately
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 helping others, hands-on work, indoor work, and high responsibility. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose licensed practical nurse if…
- I want real nursing responsibility without a four-year degree
- I can handle medications and math carefully
- I can lead and direct other caregivers
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 Licensed Practical Nurse fit quiz and the Surgical Technologist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, licensed practical nurse or surgical technologist?
Surgical Technologists earn more at the median: $64,650 versus $64,400 for licensed practical nurses, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Licensed Practical Nurses typically train faster (12–18 months) than surgical technologists (12–24 months).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects surgical technologists to grow +5.0% from 2025–35, compared with +3.0% for licensed practical nurses.