Career comparison
Ophthalmologist vs. Surgical Technologist
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Ophthalmologists earn more at the median ($300,080 vs. $64,650), while surgical technologists usually get to work faster (12–24 months of training). Ophthalmologists diagnose and treat eye diseases and perform eye 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
| Ophthalmologist | Surgical Technologist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $300,080 ($144.27/hr) | $64,650 ($31.08/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $100,180 – $489,710 | $45,940 – $96,940 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +4.5% (about as fast as average) | +5.0% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 200 | 7,100 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | 12 years after high school | 12–24 months |
| Key credential | ABO board certification | CST (NBSTSA) |
| Work setting | Ophthalmologists work in clinics, surgery centers and hospitals.. | Most surgical technologists work in hospital operating rooms; others work in outpatient surgery centers and physicians’ offices that perform surgery. |
What each job does
Ophthalmologist
- Examine eyes and diagnose disease
- Perform cataract surgery
- Treat glaucoma
- Manage retinal disease
- Perform laser procedures
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 hands-on work, helping others, indoor work, and high responsibility. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose ophthalmologist if…
- I want to restore sight
- I have steady hands
- I like surgery and technology
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 Ophthalmologist fit quiz and the Surgical Technologist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, ophthalmologist or surgical technologist?
Ophthalmologists earn more at the median: $300,080 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 ophthalmologists (12 years after high school).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects surgical technologists to grow +5.0% from 2025–35, compared with +4.5% for ophthalmologists.