Surgical Technician: Career Overview
Official government data · Updated April 2026
Surgical Technicians earn a national median of $62,830/yr with 4.5% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Customer and Personal Service, Medicine and Dentistry, English Language.
Median Salary
$62,830
National · 2024
10-Year Growth
4.5%
About as fast as average
Employed Nationally
113,890
2024 data
Typical Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Entry-level
What Employers Expect From a Surgical Technician
These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Surgical Technician candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge domains most important for Surgical Technician performance, based on verified occupational data.
Tools & Technologies
High-demand tools and technologies for Surgical Technician roles.
Job Outlook: 2024–2034
Employment is projected to grow 4.5% for Surgical Technician roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's about as fast as average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.
- Current Employment
- 113,890
- Projected Growth
- 4.5%
- Typical Education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a Surgical Technician do?
- Surgical Technicians apply expertise in Customer and Personal Service, Medicine and Dentistry, English Language to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Monitoring, Active Listening, Operations Monitoring, Speaking.
- How much does a Surgical Technician make?
- The national median salary for a Surgical Technician is $62,830 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
- Is Surgical Technician a good career in 2026?
- Employment for Surgical Technician roles is projected to grow 4.5% over the 2024–2034 decade — about as fast as average compared to all occupations. There are currently 113,890 workers in this occupation nationally.
- What education do you need to become a Surgical Technician?
- The typical entry-level education for a Surgical Technician is Postsecondary nondegree award. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
- What skills do Surgical Technicians need?
- The most important skills for Surgical Technician roles based on verified occupational data: Monitoring, Active Listening, Operations Monitoring, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Coordination, Time Management, Reading Comprehension, Active Learning, Learning Strategies. Key tools and technologies include: MEDITECH software.
Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?
Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.
Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.