There is currently a high demand for surgical technologists – also known as operating room technicians or scrub technicians – and according to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand is projected to continue to grow approximately 19 percent by the year 2020 in addition to the surgical tech salary. As the number of baby boomers reaching retirement increases, so does the need for surgeries, which increases the need for surgical technicians.
A surgical tech assists with surgeries in the operating room. They are an integral operating room team member and work under the supervision of the surgeon and registered nurses. They are in charge of a variety of duties, including the following:
1. Checks the equipment and supplies necessary for the surgery
2. Arranges the necessary supplies, instruments, equipment medications/solutions for the surgery
3. Maintains scrubs, gowns and gloves for the operating room team
4. Assists in draping the sterile field on the patient
5. Performs the appropriate counts with the circulator before the operation begins, as well as prior to the incision being closed
6. Passes the necessary instruments, supplies and equipment to the surgeon throughout the surgery
7. Prepares a sterile dressing for the patient
8. Cleans and preps the instruments for proper terminal sterilization
9. Assists other operating room team members in cleaning the operating room
10. Assists other operation room team members in ensuring the operating room is prepped for the next surgery
As of May 2010, the median surgical tech salary was $39,920 per year, or $19.19 per hour. The lowest 10 percent of surgical techs were paid around $28,100 per year and the top 10 percent earned over $57,330 per year.
Outpatient care centers pay the highest wages at approximately $41,210 per year. Physician’s offices pay the second highest salaries at around $41,030 per year. Most surgical techs are employed in hospitals – either state, local or private – and earn on average $39,600 per year. Surgical techs are also needed in dentist’s offices and earn $36,480 for assisting with dental surgeries.
The highest wages for surgical techs are on the Coasts, both East and West. The average salary for surgical tech jobs in the state of New York is $21.76 per hour, while the average yearly salary for a surgical tech in California is $22.67. Minnesota and Wisconsin pay top dollar as well, averaging $21.18 and $20.29 per hour, respectively. Alaska and Hawaii are at the top of the list for high salaries as well, coming in at $22.20 per hour in Alaska and $25.19 per hour in Hawaii.
The Southern states pay the least amount, albeit not far behind the rest of the states. Keep in mind that the cost of living in these Southern states is often significantly lower than that of Alaska and Hawaii, so it is important to keep the region in mind when considering the pay scale.
The following is a complete list of the average hourly surgical tech salary per state:
• Alabama $15.99
• Alaska $22.20
• Arizona $21.22
• Arkansas $17.39
• California $22.67
• Colorado $20.66
• Connecticut $21.63
• Delaware $21.29
• Florida $18.62
• Georgia $17.74
• Hawaii $25.19
• Idaho $18.83
• Illinois $19.31
• Indiana $18.44
• Iowa $17.17
• Kansas $18.43
• Kentucky $17.18
• Louisiana $17.99
• Maine $18.67
• Maryland $21.19
• Massachusetts $22.06
• Michigan $18.94
• Minnesota $21.18
• Mississippi $17.57
• Missouri $17.72
• Montana $18.07
• Nebraska $17.88
• Nevada $21.63
• New Hampshire $20.29
• New Jersey $21.60
• New Mexico $20.06
• New York $21.76
• North Carolina $17.73
• North Dakota $17.19
• Ohio $18.64
• Oklahoma $17.40
• Oregon $21.44
• Pennsylvania $18.63
• Rhode Island $19.96
• South Carolina $16.81
• South Dakota $17.59
• Tennessee $17.25
• Texas $19.53
• Utah $17.29
• Vermont $19.44
• Virginia $19.95
• West Virginia $15.79
• Wisconsin $20.29
• Wyoming $18.83
As you can see, surgical tech salaries are fairly comparable across the United States and they are competitive wages for a profession that does not require a lot of schooling. Most surgical technology programs can be completed in two years. These programs can be done on campus or online – except for the clinical training – as long as the program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Educated Programs or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.
While there are surgical tech programs that only take a year or less to complete, the students earn a diploma or certificate for completion of these programs. If they wish to earn a higher salary and advance in their career, it is advisable to go through a surgical tech program that earns at least an Associate’s Degree. While these programs are longer, they are worth it in the long run, since they are preferred by employers.
A surgical tech salary depends on several different factors, including their level of education, the institution they received their education from, their level of experience, the state they are working in, the geographic location within that state and the type of facility they are employed in, such as a hospital, outpatient surgery center or dentist’s office.
Surgical techs living in major cities or urbanized regions will earn a higher wage than those living in a small town or rural community. Typically, if you want to earn a higher wage, you should work in a bigger city. Surgical techs in New York City earn on average $70,000 per year and are some of the highest paid surgical techs in the United States. Those working in Atlanta and Chicago earn an average annual salary of $60,000.
Many surgical techs go on to receive the necessary education to become a first assistant surgical tech, which is similar to a surgical tech but has more responsibilities in the operating room and provides a higher level of assistance to the surgeons during surgery. First assistant surgical tech programs take 10 to 22 months and require a degree for entry – either an Associate’s or a Bachelor’s – as well as a minimum of three years of experience working as a surgical tech.
Due to the requirement of completing more education, a first assistant surgical tech commands a higher salary. Per the National Surgical Assistant Association, first assistant surgical techs start out around $55,000 per year. The average annual salary for this position is $75,000 and the highest paid first assistant surgical techs can make upwards of $120,000 per year.
